6
HISTORY OF DANBURY.
HISTORY
OF
Danbury, Conn
1684-1896
FROM NOTES AND MANUSCRIPT
LEFT BY
JAMES MONTGOMERY BAILEY
M
COMPILED WITH ADDITIONS
BY
SUSAN BENEDICT HILL
NEW YORK ^'
BURR PRINTING HOUSE ;^/^^3/~^
1896
r/of
Copyright, 1896, by A. N. Wildman,
FOR
Danburt Relief Society.
PREFACE.
This first written history of Danbiiry, beg^^ll several years
since by James Montgomery Bailey, but left unfinished by his
too early death, has been placed, by the Relief Society of Dan-
bury, in my hands for completion.
The broken threads that fell from lifeless fingers have been
reverently gathered up and woven into the web of this history,
in the hope that the sons and daughters of Danbury, wherever
they are scattered, may find some pleasing words of the old
home, its early settlers, and its citizens of to-day. Besides the
names of those mentioned in the various chapters to whom
thanks are due, we are indebted for courtesies to Mr. Hoadley,
State Librarian of Connecticut ; Mr. Dean, Librarian of the His-
torical and Genealogical Society of Boston ; Mr. Putnam, Libra-
rian of the Boston Public Library ; Hon. George White, of Wel-
lesley, Mass. ; Mr. MUls, of Fairfield ; Mr. Seymour, of Bridge-
port, and Mr. Hamilton, of Meriden.
Among the residents of Danbury thanks are especially due to
Colonel Samuel Gregory, General James Ryder, J. W. Bacon,
Harvey Osborn, Dr. D. C. Brown, James S. Taylor, Stebbins
Baxter, Luman Hubbell, E. A. Houseman, George F. Ives,
Messrs. Hopkins and Hodges, of the Probate Office ; Mr. Ising,
of the Record Office, and Mr. Turner, Selectman.
Rev. H. L. Slack and Deacon Andrew Benedict, of Bethel,
have been most helpful, and to Messrs. Israel Wilson and
George Fairchild we owe thanks.
vi PREFACE.
We have found the genealogies of the Benedict, Hoyt, Starr,
and Stevens families most useful, and have been aided by the
various histories of Connecticut, and those of adjoining counties
and towns.
The committee of the Relief Society, under whose intelligent
care this book has been completed, have made " crooked paths"
straight by their unfailing courtesy and appreciative kindness.
The material diligently gathered by Mr. Bailey has been
carefully examined and used, and much additional research
made. For the shortcomings which will exist, however faith-
fully the work may have been done, we bespeak the charity of
the people of Danbury, because of the kindly remembrance
in which they hold Mr. Bailey, and their appreciation of his
loyal love for this home of his adoption.
Susan Benedict Hill.
Danbury, Conn., December 31, 1895.
CONTENTS,
CHAPTER I.
FAGX
Colony of Connecticut — Report of British Commission in 1724 — Militia and forta
— Principal towns — Commodities — Early settlements — Religion and churches. 1
CHAPTER II.
Name and topography — Surrounding districts — Curious names of places —
Indians — Route taken by first settlers — Indian name — Beantown — Abstracts
early wills — Early wars 5
CHAPTER III.
Danbury's first historian — Parentage — Anecdote of paternal grandfather —
Preaches in Brookfield— Accepts teacher's position in Danbury — Delivers ad-
dress on death of "Washington — Extracts from diary — Retirement from active
life- Death 19
CHAPTER IV.
Century sermon of Thomas Robbins 24
CHAPTER V.
Century sermon (concluded) 33
CHAPTER VI.
Danbury made a town— Judge Brewster's search work— Extracts from colonial
registers 39
CHAPTER Vn.
Town patent— Names and descent of first settlers 42
CHAPTER VIII.
Record of marriages of first settlers, and births of their children 46
CHAPTER IX.
The first hundred years— Churches built — Made a fortified post— Old deeds —
Made a shire town — Census 51
CHAPTER X.
Danbury in the Revolution — News of Battle of Lexington — First military com-
pany formed, with list of names — Some incidents — Residence of soldiers 56
viii CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XI.
PAGE
The attack on Danbury— Dr. Peters' views— General Tryon's march to Danbuiy
— Wooster and Arnold hasten to Danbury— Dr. Foster's letter— General Silli-
man at Redding — Troops in Bethel 60
CHAPTER XII.
Lambert Lockwood— Tryon's troops through Bethel — Tryon's headquarters at
Danbury— Benjamin Knap's guests — Silas Hamilton's experience — Burning
of Captain Starr's house — Porter's prowess — Destruction of stores — New Eng-
land rum— Alleged Tories 65
CHAPTER XIII.
Burning of Danbury — Benjamin Knap's trouble — Flames — Meeting-house and
nineteen houses burned — Troops leave Danbury 71
CHAPTER XIV.
Retreat and pursuit — Through Miry Brook and Ridgebury — The fight — Wooster
wounded and brought to Danbury 75
CHAPTER XV.
Fight in Ridgefield — Different accounts— Clifford Bartlett's article from Maga-
zine of American History, March, 1888 — Howe's report from Lomlon Gazette,
June, 1777 78
CHAPTER XVI.
Wooster's death and burial — Some account of his life — Paternal genealogy —
Births of his children 85
CHAPTER XVII.
After the fire— Sightseers — Jabez Starr — King George Hotel — Cider saves build-
ing— 3Iaj or Taylor carries family to safety— Taylor House — Matthew and
Jonah Benedict — Losses — Prisoners 88
CHAPTER XVIII.
Legislative action on losses of citizens — Depositions — General Assembly reports . 84
CHAPTER XIX.
Incidents of the raid — John McLean — Colonel Barnum — British sympathizers —
A. B. Hull — Army hospital — Last Revolutionary soldier in Danbury— Revolu-
tionary soldiers of Connecticut living in 1859 — Danbury still a place for stores
— Ebenezer Benedict's house 98
CHAPTER XX.
A Danbury spy— Sketch of Enoch Crosby— Adventures— Place of burial and
epitaph 103
CONTENTS. IX
CHAPTER XXI.
PAGE
Execution of Anthony and Adams, latter part of last century 116
CHAPTER XXII.
To the end of the century— Hatting established— Made a half-shire town— Court-
House and jail built — First Masonic lodge— First Methodist sermon— Second
Baptist church— First newspaper — Paper mill 119
CHAPTER XXIII.
First borough charter — Poor-house built by lottery— Comb-making established
—Borough enlarged and officers appointed — Limits extended— Localities ex-
plained— Tax-list a century ago— Tax-list 1836 and 1885 contrasted 131
CHAPTER XXIV.
Christening ideas of our fathers — Districts named — Description of same 126
CHAPTER XXV.
Old Danbury — Extracts from old note-book and Goodrich's recollections of a
lifetime — Joseph P. and Amos Cooke — Moses Hatch — Ebenezer White — Old
advertisements — Comfort Mygatt — George Crofut — Ira Dibble — J. F. and
E. M. White— Peter Benedict— Ezra Wildman— Justus Barnum— William
Chappell— Edwards Ely— Ebenezer and Walter Starr— Ezra Boughton— Starr
& Sanford- Ezra Starr— Jerry Hoyt — Lewis Elwell— Russell Hoyt— Ebenezer
Benedict — Ezra Frost — Samuel H. Phillips — Caleb Starr— James Clark— Elijah
Wood — Mr. Babbitt — Troubles of editors — Russell and Judson White — Eliakim
Peck — Stephen Gregory — William A. Babcock— Comfort Hoyt, Jr.— Danbury
in 1810 — MaUs — Militia — Attorneys and physicians 129
CHAPTER XXVI.
Main Street 1815-20 — Old names and residences — Court House first used for elec-
tions — Post-office anecdote — Whipping-post — Supplementary 140 »■
CHAPTER XXVII.
From 1820 to 1840— First Universalist service — Danbury Bank established —
First fire companies organized — Pipe-water introduced — Census — First Roman
Catholic service — Bethel made a separate ecclesiastical society — Grassy Plain
set off to Bethel — Anti-slavery disturbances, Rev. Mr. Colver mobbed — From
1840 to 1860— Gas introduced— Reminiscences of E. B. Stevens (1854)— Some
poets of Danbury 165
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Early merchants and newspapers — Lotteries — Carrington & Mygatt — Nichols &
Dibble— Foote & Pickett — Chap pel &White — Eliakim Peck — Isaac Trowbridge
— Abijah Peck — Jacob Judd — O. Burr & Co. — Joseph Clark — Jeremiah Ryan
— Joseph Moss White — Joshua Benedict — Ezra Starr — Jail burned — " Fire"
articles — Captain Benjamin Keeler, of Ridgefield — Redding, Conn., Hudson,
N. Y., and Rev. John Bloodgood — Zalmon & Seymour Wildman — Gilbert
CONTENTS.
Cleland— Russell & Eli T. Hoyt— Benedict & Clark— Southern trade— Barber
shop— John Dodd— Joseph Leland— Douglass & Ely— Joseph Clarke— Pre-
served Taylor— Eli Hoyt — Elijah Sanford— Thomas Tucker— Samuel Gregory,
of Norwalk — John Rider — Farmer's Chronicle, 1794 — Munson Gregory —
Reuben Curtis— Hugh Cain, of Ridgefield— Timothy Foster— Tax notice—
Sepubliean Journal and other papers — Newtown communication — New Eng-
land Republican published— W. & M. Yale— Z. Griswold & Co.— Ebenezer
Russell White —Benjamin & Dudley Gregory— Friend Starr— Charles F. Starr
—Daniel N. Carrington— Bethel Morris— Lewis & Comfort Hoyt— Foot & Bull
— Abel B. Blackman— Howard & Hoyt— Nathan Douglass — Samuel Morse —
Andrew Beers — Selleck Osborn — Orrin Osborn — Advertisement of P. T. Bar-
num — Alanson Taylor — Connecticut depository — Herald of Freedom — Danbury
Gazette — Chronicle — Fairfield County Democrat — Danbury Times established
— Jeffersonian, Danburian, and other papers 174
CHAPTER XXIX.
How Danbury went away and got back — Land route to Norwalk — Water to
New York — Sloop — First steamboat from Norwalk to New York — Slail route
— Advertisement stage from Hartford to New York in 1804 — Line between
Danbury and Poughkeepsie — Between Litchfield |and Danbury — Anecdotes of
Hiram Barnes, the veteran stage driver 199
CHAPTER XXX.
Reminiscences and incidents — Cavalry company, 1773 — Names of captains — Ex-
ecutions at Redding — White Plains — Gabriel Barnum — Uniform — Colonel S.
Gregory — Fourth July celebration, 1838 — James Taylor, Reuben Booth, Rev.
Anson Rood, Ira Gregory — Main Street park in beginning of this century —
Training days — Samuel Jennings's hay crop — Danbury 's first Irishman 308
CHAPTER XXXI.
History of hatting in Danbury, 1780-1895 — Zadock Benedict — Russell White —
Oliver Burr — Eli Benedict — William Babcock — ZalmonWildman — Samuel Phil-
lips — George Benedict — David Wood — Ezra Wildman — Ebenezer & John D.
Nichols — Boughton & Starr — Gershom Nichols — Oliver Stone — Noah Rock-
well — Hoyt Gregory — Thomas Peck — Old methods — Samuel Tweedy — Judson
White— Starr Nichols— Russell & Eli T. Hoyt— David Boughton— David M.
Benedict— Edgar S. Tweedy— F. T. Fanning— Lucius P. Hoyt— A. E. Tweedy
— John Foot — Elias Boughton — Abel Hoyt — Packing and shipment of hats —
Bowing of hats — John Fry — Alvin Hurd — Ephraim Gregory — Nirum Wild-
man — Patent for forming wool hat bodies — Rory Starr — Eli White, N. Y. —
Mr. Sprague— Coloring of hats— Joel Taylor— Isaac H. Seelye — White &
Keeler— Hatch & Gregory — Joseph Taylor— Hugh Starr— Taylor & Dibble —
Fry, Gregory & Co.— W. Montgomery— E. S. Brockett — Charles Benedict —
Jarvis P. Hull— Silk hats— Panic of 1836-37— Hoyt, Tweedy & Co.— Wool
hats — Charles Fry — David Wildman — Machine for forming hat bodies-
Nathaniel H. Wildman — Truman Trowbridge — Frederick Nichols — Introduc-
CONTENTS. XI
PAOK
tion of cash system in 1850 — Paper-box making — S. A. Brewer & Co.— E. S.
Davis — James 8. Taylor's hat sizing machines — Crosby, Hoyt & Co. — Band-
boxes — Abijah Abbott — George Starr — George Stevens & Co. — Raymond &
Ambler — Tip-printing — Hat-forming machines — G. E. Cowperthwaite — Alvah
B. Taylor, N. Y.— Darius Stevens— H. A. Burr— Lyman Piatt— E. A. Mal-
lory — Arthur Nichols — Pouncing machines — Brim-stretching machines — Hat-
shaving machine — Nichols & Hine — Tweedy Manufacturing Company — Giles
M. Hoyt, Lacey & Downs — A. T. Peck— Anson Taylor— W. H. Youngs- Kel-
logg Nichols — Cyrus Raymond — Casper Zeigler — Mr. Beckerle — C. H. F*iex —
T. F. Fay— J. H. Shuldice— J. D. & D. W. Meeker— Ransom Brothwell—
P. A. Sutton — Jennings & Son — Stone & Downs — Senior & Son — John Harvey
— Brindle&Gage — " Coney" hats — Crofut, Bates & Wildman — R0II0& George
King Nichols— Joseph H. White— Mr. Peabody— E. A. Mallory & Co.— S. C.
Holley — J. H. Gesner — A. N. Wildman — A. B. Holley — Shethar & Lacey —
Henry Starr — Thomas Laurence — Theodore Hoyt— Moses Collier — Ives Bush-
nell — George Downs — C. H. White — Elijah Sturdevant — D. E. Leowe & Co.
— W. A. & A. M. White — Fur-cutting industry — Stephen Hurlbut — Peter
Robinson — E. T. Robinson — Daniel Starr — Tracing old hatters — E. Moss
White— T. B. Keeler— Joseph Taylor— Elias Taylor— Scott Dibble— M. H.
Griffiug — Elijah Patch — George A. Andrews — Wolfpits hatters — Amount of
work, 1859 — Article on hatting in Bethel, by Isaac H. Seelye — Zar Dibble —
Walker Ferry- Eli Taylor— Thomas Taylor— Eli Ilickok— Hat materials —
Noah Hickok — Eliakim D. Trowbridge — Daniel Morgan — Matthew Trow-
bridge in 1801 — Phineas Taylor — Lemon Starr — Elias Taylor — William Chap-
pell — A. & P. Nichols — Ambrose Collins— Lewis Taylor — Oliver Shepard —
Nathan Seeley — Samuel Peet — D. Benjamin — Lewis Gregory — Joseph Gillett
— Eden Andrews — Levi Taylor — Asel Dunning — Elam Benedict — Joseph
Hitchcock — Starr Ferry — Sandy McLane — Major Dikeman — Sherman Ferry —
Asel & Levi Beebe — Abel Hoyt — Eleazer Taylor and son Alva — Daniel P.
Shepard — L. S. & Charles Dart — Extracts from Report of Connecticut Bureau
of Labor Statistics — List of present firms — Annual shipment of hats, 1884-94,
inclusive — Hat case manufacturers — Fur cutting factories — Hat wire manu-
facturers — Hat sweats manufacturers — Hatters' supplies 214
CHAPTER XXXII.
Other manufactures— Paper making— Ephraim Washburn — Ward Brothers —
Daniel & Seth Comstock — Uncle Jerry Wilson — Nelson Flint — Calvin S. Bulk-
ley — Amzi Wheeler— George, Robert, John, and William McArthur— Samuel
Morris— E. S. Hull— Ebenezer Benedict— Boots and shoes, 1869— C. H. Mer-
ritt— L. R. Sprague— R. W. Cone— Oil mill— Friend Starr— C. H. Starr-
Benjamin & Fairchild Ambler — Sawmill — Sewing-machines — Walker B. Bar-
tram— Bartram & Fanton— Cut nails— Eli Seger-Comb-making— Nathaniel
Bishop— Foote & Barnum- Otis & Whiting— Alfred Gregory— Peck & Gillett
— Bamum & Green— Daniel Taylor— A. & C. Smith— E. H. Barnum— T. T.
Dibble — S. B. Peck — Ammon Taylor — Daniel Barnum — George Clapp — Am-
mon Benedict — Rogers Silver Plate Company — Danbury Machine Company —
Turner Machine Company— T. & B. Tool Company— Medical Printing Com-
pany — Architects 238
XU CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
PAGE
Danbury's railways— Canal project in 1825 — Railroad project in 1835 — Project
of a through line from New York to Albany Ha Danbury — Views in favor of
direct rail communication with tide-water — Figures and estimates — Bridge-
port wakens — Road to New Milford from Bridgeport — Danbury and Norwalk
Railroad offices — New York and Hartford Road — Comparisons — Extensions —
First time-table — Leased to Housatonic — In hands of Consolidated Railroad —
Housatonic by stage to Hawleyville — New York, Housatonic and Northern
Railroad — Ridgefield and Port Chester — The Shepaug — New York and New
England — Sketch of Eli T. Hoyt, first president of Danbury's first railroad. . . 365
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Ecclesiastical history — First Congregational church, 1696-1895 — St. James Epis-
copal Church — Horace Marshall — Sandemanian Church — Methodist Episcopal
Church — Starr's Plain Church — Second Baptist Church — Church of the Disci-
ples — Universalist Church — St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church — Second Con-
gregational Church — German Lutheran Church 280
CHAPTER XXXV.
Educational history— Comfort Starr's bequest — School districts, 1769 — Ezra Bar-
num — Thomas Tucker — Reuben Booth — Miss Sears — Eliza C. Starr — Elias
Starr — Miss Ely— Miss Wilcos, now Mrs. Ives— Miss Gregory— Miss E. Bull
— Rev. J. W. Irwin — Mrs. Irwin — James H. Rogers — John Sherwood — Miss
Mary Bull— Ira Morse— L. C. Hoyt— Sliss Martha White— Rev. Henry Lobdell
— Elias Schenck — Benedict Starr — Rev. Francis Lobdell, D.D. — Starr Hoyt
Nichols— James C. Harvey — Rev. R. G. Hinsdale — Miss Price— Miss Perkins
— Mrs. TV. Sherwood — Misses Meeker — Rev. Mr. Huntington — Nathan M.
Belden— George W. Burr— Rev. I. Leander Townsend— Miss Augusta Hoyt —
Miss Barnum— Misses Griswold— E. J. Partrick— F. J. Jackson— Mr. and Mrs.
Whitlock— Mrs. G. H. White— Public schools, 1850-95 338
CHAPTER XXXVI.
History of the bar— Elisha Whittlesey— Matthew B. Whittlesey— Reuben Booth
—Nelson L. White— Theodore McDonald— Roger Averill— Oliver A. G. Todd
—William F. Taylor— WiUiam Burke— Arthur H. Averill— E. W. Bull— Moses
Hatch— John R. Farnham— Allen W. Page— Frederick B. Hungerford—
Thomas P. McCue— John A. Toohey— Frederick S. Barnum— Wilson H.
Pierce. TU Present Bar: Lyman D. Brewster— Samuel Tweedy— Benezet
A. Hough— Aaron T. Bates— Howard B. Scott— Howard W. Taylor— James
E. Walsh— George Wakeman— William A. Leonard— Eugene C. Dempsey—
John R. Booth— Granville Whittlesey— John F. Cu£E— Charles W. Murphy-
Samuel A. Davis— Henry A. Purdy 352
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Medical history— Danbury's first physician, Samuel Wood— John Butler-
Thomas Dean— James Picket— Samuel Dickinson— Noah Rockwell— Elind
Rockwell — Peter Hayes — John Wood— Sallu PeU — Joseph Trowbridge —
William Vaughn— Jabez Starr— Alfred Betts— Dr. Lyndsley— Titus Hull—
CONTENTS.
Daniel Comstock — Daniel N. Carrington— Benjamin S. and Drake Hoyt —
■William Hull — Joseph Crane — Dr. Knap — Preserve Wood — Charles Peck —
Dr. Perry — Ansel Hoyt — Daniel Taylor — Amos Baker — Dr. Barnum — Chris-
topher Avery Babcock — Lemuel Thomas — Dr. Davis — James Potter — Asa
Norton — Apollos B. Hanaford — Russell B. Botsford — Chandler Smith — Ezra
P. Bennett— William C. Bennett— J. H. Richards— William E. Booth— E. F.
Hendrick — E. A. Brown — William E. Bulk ley — Danbury Medical Society —
Resident physicians of to-day 368
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Civil War — War ideas of Danbury — Sumter — Roger Averill — E. Moss White
— Wooster Guards — Roster of the company — Danbury cares for families of
soldiers — Union Reserved Guards — Danbury Zouaves — Roster of Company A,
Fifth Regiment — Loyal scholars — Bull Run — Return of Wooster Guards, and
reception by citizens — New Fairfield — Zouaves enlist for three years — Com-
pany A of the Eleventh Regiment formed and off for the front — Adopted the
name of the " Averill Rifles" — Flag presented by Hon. Roger Averill — Forty-
five volunteers for service assigned to Company B, of the First Heavy Artil-
lery — Nelson L. White, lieutenantcolonel — Enthusiasm over news of capture
of Fort Donaldson and the fall of Norfolk and Portsmouth — More troops
called for — Danbury to the rescue — War meeting and volunteers for the Wild-
. man Guards — Company C leave Danbury — Danbury sends more men — Roster
of Company B, Twenty-third Regiment — Winter of 1863-63 — Death of Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Stone — Sad Fourth of July — Burial of soldiers — Drafts — Fair
for benefit of sick and disabled soldiers — Welcome to the Twenty-third Regi-
ment home from Louisiana — President calls for more men — Danbury's quota
raised — Work of the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society — Danbury sends more men
— Mourning the assassination of President Lincoln — Danbury's war record
clear 380
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Wooster Monument — Soldiers' Monument — Monument to heroes in unknown
graves 424
CHAPTER XL.
Wooster Cemetery Association— Officers-First purchase of land — George W.
Ives — Edgar S. Tweedy — Frederick S. Wildman — Memorial chapel 431
CHAPTER XLI.
Town libraries — Rev. Ebenezer Baldwin — First library in 1771 — Franklin
Library in 1793 — Old books — Bethel Library — Mechanics' Library — Officers of
association — Elias Starr — Eli Mygatt — Young Men's Literary Association —
From about 1858 to 1871 no library — The Danbury Library — Gifts of the sons
of Colonel E. Moss White and members of the family — Made a free library —
Post-office building — Number of subscribers — Number of volumes — Genealogi-
cal line of family of E. Moss White 437
XIV CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XLII.
PAGE
Baribwy's Charities : Children's Home — Mary Bull — Building of home — Epitaph
— Martha Stokes — Mrs. Ives saves the Home — List of original incorporators —
Present officers. Banbury Hospital : Address of J. M. Bailey at opening of
present hospital building — Address of L. D. Brewster— Training school estab-
lished — Officers of the institution. Selief Society of Banbury : Its organiza-
tion — Statement of its work — Letter from selectmen — J. M. Bailey its presi-
dent — Extracts from minutes. Almshouse : Method of the past — Mr. and
Mrs. Eli C. White's gift — Late town farm — Broadview 445
CHAPTER XLIII.
Banks of Danbury — Mutual Fire Insurance Company — Fairfield County branch
bank — Danbury Bank — Officers from 1834 to 1895 — David Foot — Wooster
Bank — National Pahquioque Bank, 1854 to 1895 — Origin Danbury Savings
Bank — Its first home — Its officers — Sketcli of David P. Nichols — Union Sav-
ings Bank — Officers — Danbury Mutual Fire Insurance Company, chartered in
1850— Its officers 458
CHAPTER XLIV.
The Danbury News — Its history from the original Danbury Kmes in 1837 to the
present time 465
CHAPTER XLV.
Danbury 's water supply— Agricultural Society— Board of Trade 468
CHAPTER XLVI.
Danbury a city — The city's first duties — Limits of the city — Wards of the city
and their officers — Voting places — Mayors 478
CHAPTER XLVII.
Fire Department, 1793, 1829, 1850 — Officers of different companies, past and
present — Paid fire department 484
CHAPTER XL VIII.
Societies: Masonic — Odd Fellows — Temperance — Grand Army of the Republic
— Knights of Pythias — Hatters' societies — Clubs of Danbury — Musical organi-
zations — Military organizations. Benevolent Societies : Daughters of the Amer-
ican Revolution 491
CHAPTER XLIX.
Taverns, ancient and modern, and Danbury stock farms of to-day — King George
Tavern— The Inn— Captain Clark's Tavern— White's Tavern— Wood's Tavern
—Osborne's Hotel— Fountain House— Phcenix Hotel— Mansion House— Dan-
bury House — Pahquioque Hotel— Turner House — Wooster House — Hotels of
to-day— Stock farms, Ridgewood and HUl Top 501
CONTENTS. XV
CHAPTER L.
FASE
Old burial-grounds— Wooster Street— Upper burying ground — Episcopal burial-
ground on South Street— Epitaphs from Mill Plain — Miry Brook — Great
Plain — Pembroke — King Street Baptist ground — Gomes's burial plot — Middle
River 505
CHAPTER LI.
Danbury of to-day 521
CHAPTER LII.
Bethel — Town and surroundings — Old houses — Old industries— Church and
school — Medical — Present industries— Noted men — Julius Seeley — Laurence
P. Hickok — Orris Ferry — Clark Seeley — P. T. Bamum, sketch of his life —
His address on presenting fountain to the town — His death 524
CHAPTER LIH.
List of Danbury representatives from 1776 to 1895, inclusive 549
CHAPTER LIV.
Chronological table, 1684 to 1895 557
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAOE
James Montgomert Bailey Frontispiece.
Lake Kenosia 8
Bedford Deed 16
Thomas Robbeks 34
Citizens 32, 122, 273
Homer Peters and Slave Sale 40
Old Danbury 56
WoosTER MosTMEST— House where Woosteb Died, with Cormeb Cup-
board 64
Ebenezer Nichols 72
General David Wooster 85
Taylor House — Rev. Nathaniel Taylor and Miss Sarane Taylor 90
Benedict House — S. W. and E. Benedict — Old Chest — Danbury Spy 104
Joseph Moss White — Joseph Faxrchild White — Colonel Joseph P.
Cooke — Mrs. Joseph P. Cooke— E. Moss White 131
Homestead of Ebenezer Russell White — Roswell White — Mrs. Ros-
well White — Russell White — Mrs. Russell White 140
Store of Peck & Wildman 144
Averill Homestead — Present Block on its Site 146
Homestead of N. H. Wildman, 184-5 — Business Block on its Site, 189.5.. 150
Homestead Caleb Starr — Homestead Samuel Dibble — Portrait of Ira
Dibble 160
Pahquioque Hotel— Lyman Keeler — Woosteb House 168
J. W. Nichols — H. B. Wildman and Homesteads 176
Carriage License — Halter's Card^Ball Ticket 182
Friend Starr, Ch.^rles Starr and Homestead 190
Resolutions, War of 1813 200
Old Dan-bury House— Turner House — Aaron Turner 210
Hat Manufacturers 216
Danbury News Building— Town Club House — Cowpehthwaite Block
— Treadwell's Block — Harris Block — 5Ib. Phelany Block 224
Hatter's Group 232
Danbury Deed 248
YtEw from Rose Hill 256
Old Congregational Church— Rev. Rollin S. Stone— Mbs. Rollin S.
Stone— Rev. Samuel G. Coe — Deacon Isaac Ives— Deacon Lewis
HoYT 280
Xviii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Present First Congregational Church — Deacon Eli T. Hott — Dea-
con John Frt— Deacon Oliver Stone— Deacon John F. Beard 288
St. James' Episcopal Church — Horace Marshall — Mr. and Mrs. Will-
iam Chappell 396
Sandemanian Church — Rev. John Glas — Rev. Robert Sandeman —
Nathaniel Bishop— William Ely— Levi Knapp— John Knapp 299
Baptist Church— Rev. E. C. Ambler— Rev. William S. Clapp— Metho-
dist Church— Rev. John Cravtford— George Starr 312
Disciples' Church — Levi Osborn — John Abbot — Universalist Church —
Stephen Bates — Colonel Dibble 320
St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Rectory and Parochial School.. 328
West Street Congregational Church— Horace Bull— Ezra Starr-
German Lutheran Church and Rectory 332
School Buildings— J. M. Smith 344
Lawyers 852
Physicians 368
Soldiers. 383
Old Danbury Bank — David Foot— Samuel Tweedy 400
Soldiers' Monument- Mrs. F. S. Wildman— Mrs. E. S. Tweedy — Mrs.
Theodore Tweedy — Mrs. William Crofutt 428
Memorial Chapel — Entrance to Cemetery — George W. Ives- Edgar
S. Tweedy— Frederick S. Wildman 432
Monument to Soldiers and Sailors in Unknown Graves — View in
Cemetery 434
Colonel E. Moss White and Homestead 440
Children's Home— Miss Mary Bull — Mrs. Eliza Botsford — Mrs. G. W.
Ives 446
Danbury Hospital— E. S. Davis— J. H. Schuldice 448
Library — Danbury Bank Post-Office 458
Pahquioque Bank— Aaron Seeley — Mrs. Seeley— Barnabas Allen 461
First Danbury Savings Bank Building— Present Savings Bank Bdild-
ing — Homestead op George W. Ives — William Jabine — Desk in Ives
Homestead Used as Safe for Savings Bank in 1849 463
Union Savings Bank — Samuel Stebbins— Almon Judd 464
Danbury Fair in 1884 472
Public Buildings- Court House— City Hall — Jail — Almshouse 480
White Street, North Side, Looking East, 1856 603
Starr Gravestones 506
Cemetery Views 512
Farnum Homestead— Ethel Taylor Farnum 525
Nathan Seeley and Seven Sons 531
Orris Ferry — Laurens P. Hickok— Julius Seeley 534
Old Bethel — P. T. Barnum— Homestead Daniel Hickok— Old Fire
Engine 543
JAMES MONTGOMERY BAILEY.
James Montgomery Bailey, the son of James and Sarah
(Magee) Bailey, was born in Albany, N. Y., on September 25th,
1841.
In 1843 his father died suddenly from injuries received by
a fall, and a few weeks later a sister was bom, who died in
infancy.
In 1846 Mrs. Bailey married Daniel Smith, of Rome, N. Y.
Of this marriage were born three sons and three daughters.
In 1860 the family moved to Banbury, Conn. , and within a week
after their arrival the New York Sunday Mercury printed the
first article from the pen of Mr. Bailey, and continued to publish
his writings for a year or more. Those who remember Mr. Bailey
at this time describe him as bubbling over with fun and frolic
and a universal favorite.
On August 18th, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Seventeenth
Connecticut Volunteers ; August 28th he was mustered into the
United States service, and September 3d the regiment left the
State for the front.
Mr. Bailey remained in the army for three years, and his
experiences during this time were material for many witticisms
in after years. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Gettys-
burg, and confined for two months on Belle Isle.
Prostrated by malaria, and worn with starvation, he must
soon have succumbed to these hardships had he not been ex-
changed. Of his trip on the transport boat he wrote : ' ' How
blessed that word, ' Free ! ' I kept repeating it to myself, with
my eyes bent down on the water and my thoughts lifted to
God." In September, 1865, Messrs. Bailey and Donovan pur-
chased the Danbury Times, and first conducted it as a Demo-
XX JAMES MONTGOMERT BAILEY.
cratic paper. In March, 1870, Mr. Bailey, who " loved fun and
success better than politics," made an arrangement for the con-
solidation of the Times and the Jeffersonian—a. Republican
sheet— and thus was started the Danbury News.
On October 4th, 1866, Mr. Bailey mamed Miss Catharine
Douglass Stewart, of Danbury. Three children were born to
them, but all died in infancy.
In 1873 Mr. Bailey visited California, and while absent wrote
a series of articles for the JVews, headed with the letters " T. B.
T. Q. G." These were a subject of much curious comment,
untU the explanation came that they were the initial character,
of " Tight Boots throiigh Golden Gate."
In 1874 he made the tour of Europe, visiting England, Scot-
land, Ireland, France, and other countries. A year before this
his first book, "Life in Danbury," had appeared, and before
leaving for Europe the "Danbury News Man's Almanac" was
completed.
This trip abroad was for the purpose of gathering material for
a third volume, happily titled " England from a Back Window."
One of the charms of this record of travel is that while the
writer is seldom more than half in earnest, he is frequently not
more than half in jest. While he lightly banters our British
brethren on their national weaknesses, he has for their sterling
personal qualities and national physique only words of unstinted
praise.
Within four years after the appearance of this book Mr. Bailey
published " Mr. Phillips' Goneness," the " Danbury Boom,"
and "They All Dolt."
In the fall of 1876 he appeared upon the lecture platform,
under the management of the Redpath Lyceum Bureau.
In 1878 the firm of Bailey & Donovan was dissolved, and from
that time until his death Mr. Bailey was sole editor and propri-
etor of the Danbury Neios.
His love for Danbury, his faith in her future, and his efforts to
build up her interests were unbounded. When the Board of
Trade was established he became an active member, and was
soon elected its president.
As one of the founders of the Danbury Hospital, a member of
the Board of Trustees, and its President, he was deeply inter-
ested in the welfare of this institution. He was also a warm
JAMES MONTGOMERY BAILEY. XXI
friend and practical helper of the Children's Home and of the
Eelief Society.
While resident in Albany Mr. Bailey united with the Baptist
Church under the pastoral charge of Dr. E. L. Magoun. Upon
his arrival in this city he joined by letter the Second Baptist
Church, where he was constant in his attendance, zealous in all
Christian work, and devoted to the Sunday-school, in which he
was a beloved teacher until the time of his death.
It was a peculiar phase of his character that he was subject to
seasons of deep depression. Years ago, in the very height of
his world-wide popularity, his sunny soul would pass at times
into profound darkness, when he would pray for death, while
yet he would confess that there was no external cause for such
despondency.
His love for children was deep and intense, and it was a sad
grief to him that his own died in infancy. Every Sunday and
holiday saw the tiny graves in Wooster Cemetery covered with
flowers, placed there by his loving hands.
The humor of Mr. Bailey was so entirely original that he may
truthfully be called the pioneer of that school which is now so
familiar to all readers. While peculiar and original, Mr. Bailey
was marvellously natural in his humor, and his readers often
found themselves pondering upon the sportive mixture of grave
circumstances and hidicrous events in every-day life. He em-
bellished the commonest events, the simplest subjects with the
cap and bells of royal humor.
Pure and wholesome, his wit never wounded ; it was ' ' the
lambent flame of mirth that lit, but never burned," humor that
has brightened many a life and sent sunshine into many a home.
His great heart brimmed over with love for animals, made man-
ifest in his daily life and through the columns of his paper. His
friendship was loyal and intense, and his relations with his em-
ployes of the most cordial kind. Unbounded was his generosity,
and the memory of his kind deeds is warm and bright in count-
less hearts. Had he valued money for its own sake, he might
have been a millionaire, but money flowed as steadily and pro-
fusely from his hands as did wit from his lips. No appeal to
him for help was ever made in vain.
Mr. Bailey died on March 4th, 1894, after a short illness, leav-
ing a " city of mourners." He had no enemies !
XXU JAMES MONTGOMERY BAILEY.
' ' What pen can write for him a tribute, delicate, sympathetic
and tender, such as he was wont to write for others ? Who can
analyze that great soul, with its intense love for the beautiful in
nature and art ; its sympathy with dumb creatures, so that the
very dogs loved him with an almost deeper than human affec-
tion ? Who can set in true light and perspective that strange
blending of deep religious sensibility, profound melancholy, and
sparkling humor ?' '
All who ever touched his life have lost a friend.
HISTORY OF DANBURY.
CHAPTER 1.
THE COLONT OF CONNECTICUT.
D ANBURY was settled in 1684. It is interesting to note the con-
dition of the colony of Connecticut at that time. Its study is a
help to the right understanding of matters ecclesiastical, mer-
cantile, legal, political, and social as they existed in this State
when the planters of this city plodded hither through the wilder-
ness. The particulars presented below are gathered from a re-
port made by the General Court of Connecticut to a British com-
mission in 1680, forty years after the settlement of the colony :
' ' There were two General Courts, and only four counties.
They had only one troop of sixty horse, but were raising more.
There were twenty-one churches : the ministerial stipend was
from £50 to £100. The train bands of militia were of the follow-
ing strength :
Hartford County 835
New London " 509
New Haven " 623
Fairfield " 540
' ' There was one fort at the mouth of the Connecticut. The
principal towns were the large places of Hartford, New London,
New Haven, and Fairfield. Their buildings were generally of
wood, but some of stone and brick, and were comely for a wilder-
ness. The commodities of the country were provisions, lumber,
and horses, which were mostly transported to Boston and bar-
tered for clothing.
" Some smaU quantities were sent to the Carribee Islands and
bartered for products and money. At rare intervals vessels were
sent to Madeira, and the cargoes bartered for wines. They had
2 HISTORY OF DANBtJRY.
no need of Southern trade, as most people planted as much
tobacco as they needed. They had good materials for shipbuild-
ing, and imported about £9000 in value annually.
"The colony had about twenty petty merchants trading to
Boston, other colonies, and the West Indies. The property of
the whole colony did not reach £110,000 sterling.
" There were but few servants and fewer slaves, not more than
thirty in the colony. There were so few English, Scotch, and
Irish arriving that they can give no account of them.
' ' There came sometimes a few blacks from Barbadoes, which
were sold for £22 each.
" In 1677 the number of men was 2587, having increased only
17 from the previous year ; 24 smaU vessels belonged to the col-
ony. The obstruction to trade was owing to the want of estates
and the high price of labor. There were no duties on goods ex-
ported or imported, except wines and liquors, which, though
inconsiderable, were appropriated to free schools.
" The people were principally strict Congregationalists, a
few ' large Congregationalists ' and some moderate Presbyte-
rians. There were four or five Seven-day men, and about as
many Quakers. Labor was 4s. 6d. per day ; wheat was 4s. a
bushel ; peas, 3s. ; Indian com, 2s. 6d. ; pork, 3d. per pound ;
beef, 2id., and butter, 6d.
" Beggars and vagabonds were not suffered, but when discov-
ered were bound out to service.
" The country is mountainous, full of rocks, hills, swamps,
and vales. What was fit was taken up, what remains must be
gained out of fire, by hard blows, and for small recompense.
" The trade with the Indians was worth nothing, because their
frequent wars hindered them from getting peltry.
" Great care was taken of the instruction of the people in the
Christian religion by ministers and masters of families."
This document is signed by Mr. Leete, Governor, and John
'Allen, Secretary.
In 1631, eleven years after the landing of the Pilgrims, an
Indian sachem visited the governors of the Plymouth and Mas-
sachusetts colonies, urging them to send Englishmen to settle
in the Connecticut Valley ; and soon after Governor Winslow, of
Plymouth, visited it. The next year other parties from Massa-
chusetts explored the vaUey, and reported it as good. In the
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 3
fall of 1634 a band of Massachusetts men came to Connecticut
and settled at Pequag, now Wetliersfield. In the summer of
1635 a party from Dorchester laid the foundation of the town of
Windsor, and in October of that year a party of sixty men from •
Newtown made the overland march, and settled where the city
of Hartford now stands.
In June, 1636, a party of "one hundred men, women, and
children," under the leadership of Thomas Hooker and Samuel
Stone, came from Cambridge to Hartford, over one hundred
miles through a dense wilderness, a journey of two weeks. How
beautiful to their eyes must have looked the Connecticut Valley,
with " its oaks, whose patriarch was to shelter their charter, its
great elms and tulip-trees, the silver ribbon of the river, and
over it all the light of a day in June !"
New Haven was settled in 1638 by " the most opulent com-
pany" that up to that time had emigrated from England. It
was under the charge of Theophilus Eaton.
In 1639 settlements were made at ^lilford, Guilford, Fairfield,
and Stratford. Norwalk was purchased of the Indians in 1640,
but the permanent settlement of the town was not until 1651.
In 1684 the " original eight" left Norwalk and settled in Dan-
bury.
The men and women who laid the foundations of our common-
wealth were exiles from their native land for conscience' sake,
and sought in this new country freedom to worship God accord-
ing to their convictions. From the landing of the Pilgrims at
Plymouth Rock religious observances were not only duty, but
pleasure.
" Religion was an essential part of daily life and politics, and
town and church were but two sides of the one thing." The
same persons in each town discussed and decided ecclesiastical
and civil affairs indifferently, acting as a town or church meeting.
The " church" was composed of church-members, having eccle-
siastical jurisdiction, the " society" of pew-holders and contribu-
tors having a financial and administrative control, joint action
of the two being usually necessary.
The churches of those days were sadly tossed about upon a
sea of differing opinions, and "old lights" and "new lights,"
Cambridge and Saybrook platforms, were mingled in confusion,
while separations among the churches went on apace. These
4 HISTORY OF DAJ^BUP.Y.
sometimes led to the formation of new settlements, as, by a
division in the chnrcli of Stratford, Rev. Mr. Walker with his
adherents was granted in May, 1672, " Kberty to erect a planta-
tion at Pomi)eroage." In 1674 this town received the name of
Woodbury.
The first chiirches were mostly of small numbers, but this was
due to the promj)tness of the first settlers in organizing their
churches, for " the church began with the settlement."
CHAPTER II.
NAME AND TOrOGRAPliy — SURROUNDING DISTRICTS — EARLY
RECORDS AND WARS.
The name Danbury is taken from a town in England, wliick
was originally Danebury, a camp or town of the Danes, and
where traces of the original earthworks when it was a fortified
military post still remain.
In the United States there are six towns bearing this name —
viz., Danbury, Fail-field County, Conn.; Danbiuy, Woodbury
County, la.; Danbury, Redwillow County, Neb.; Danbury,
Merrimack County, N. H. ; Danbury, Stokes County, N. C.:.
Danbury, Ottawa County, O.
Danbury in Connecticut, of which we write. Lies in the north-
A'ern part of Fairfield County, and is bounded on the north by
New Fairfield ; east, by Brookfield and Bethel ; south, by
Bethel, Redding, and Ridgefield, and west, by Ridgefield and
New York State. It is pleasantly diversified with hills and
vaUeys, and has several small lakes within its bounds ; Moun-
tain Pond, Neversink, Marjorie, Boggs, and Kenosha ai-e all
pretty sheets of water with well-wooded banks.
The highest mountain in Danbury is that north of Boggs Pond,
which is 1025 feet in height. The mountain west of Sugar
HoUow ranks next, being 1020 feet high. Moses Mountain has
a height of 1000 feet, Thomas Mountain, 960 feet, and Town
Mountain, 900.
The main street of the city runs through a valley lying between
two ridges of land running north and south. When the first
settlers came they chose the southern end of this valley for their
new homes. Gradually as the years went on, and the little
settlement increased in strength and numbers, the main street —
then known as Town Street— extended its length and took on
new houses and homes, until it stretched for nearly two miles
from north to south.
6 HISTORY OF DANBUKY.
To-day it is brimful of life and activity, aud lined with resi-
dences and fine business blocks. Handsome churches and public
buildings are scattered along through its centre, and many tine
old homesteads stand beneath the great trees of upper and lower
Main Street. The business portion of the city has gi-own up
around other homesteads, but many of the beautiful old trees
that once shaded them have fallen in the march of modem im-
provement.
Danbury has spread over the hills and across the dales, has
blossomed out in streets and pleasant homes unto her very bor-
ders, and nestles under her wings her surrounding little settle-
ments.
King Street, lying at the northwest of the city, has two
churches, the Fu-st Baptist and a Christian church. It lies
along a slope of the hill, and is purely an agricultiiral dis-
trict.
Middle River* lies south of King Street and directly west of
the Centre District of Danbury, while west of that lies the settle-
ment formerly known as the Boggs, but now called Westville.
Mm Plain, lying next south, derived its name, according to
tradition, from a mill that was a little east of the present Fair
Grounds, which had so high a dam that it flooded the swamps
hj Mill Plain Pond. This sheet of water is now known as Lake
Kenosia, and is quite a pleasure resort.
* From Mrs. Mary Depew, of Elkhart, Ind., a daughter of Elind Comes, and now
in her eighty-third year, we have the following regarding the " Comes Meeting
House" at Middle River.
In the -winter of 1824 revival meetings were conducted in Middle River District
^}y Orlando Starr and Jloses Hill, of Danbury, both of whom became afterward
juinisters in the Methodist Episcopal Church. These meetings were held at the
school-house, and the young people of the neighborhood continued them until
William Stone objected to the use of the school building for such purposes, and the
girls would take off their shawls and hang them before the windo^vs to hide the
light, as his house was in sight of the school-house.
To avoid further trouble, the meetings were held at a private house, and Mr.
Comes resolved to build a church, which he did, furuisliiug the land, the material,
and doing the work himself. When completed, lie had it dedicated, and it was
thrown open to the public with the distinct understanding that it should be a Union
church, free to all denominations, Universalists not excepted.
Mr. Comes afterward bought the laud for the burial-ground that adjoins the
church, and enclosed it with a fence. The graveyard as well as the church was
free to all, and here is buried Elind Comes, with Dinah, his wife, and several of
his children'and grandchildren.
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 7
The first house built in Mill Plain was erected probably about
1720, and belonged to Nathaniel Stevens. It is not in existence
now. Thomas Stevens, a brother of Nathaniel, built a house in
172.0, which was rebuilt in 182.'), and is still standing. " Bur-
chard's Store," at the western boundary of old-time Mill Plain,
was its commercial centre, and had quite a wide reputation. It
was one of the first to pixt out shirts for making, and the women
would come from far and near for the work, taking in payment
goods from the store.
There were several shoe shops, where, besides custom work,
shoes were made for a firm in New Canaan. Most of the energy
of the people was directed to farming.
Lake Kenosia, now a popular summer resort for the people
of Danbury and its vicinity, was known in the old days as Mill
Plain Pond, and many of the older residents can remember boat-
ing upon the lake in moonlit evenings, or enjoying picnics under
the shade of the trees along its banks.
In 1860, George Hallock, who saw a future for the lake as a
pleasure resort, built the Kenosia Hotel, which was opened on
August 16th of that year. The hotel was short-lived, as it was
destroyed by fire on November 23d of the same year. Soon
after the opening of the house its landlord, as an especial attrac-
tion, arranged " a race between the noted trotters Flora Temple
and Widow McChree at Kenosia Trotting Park, on November
15th." The race was won by Flora Temple in three heats.
Time : 2.39, 2.37, and 2.33.
How much of an event this was, the following extract from
the Danbury Times of the week previous will show : "To accom-
modate those who it is expected will come to see the trot, the
evening train of cars will be, on that day, delayed until 6.30 p.m."
South of Mill Plain is Miry Brook (in some old deeds spelled
Miery), a little agricultural settlement lying upon level ground
with low meadows, where in spring the cowslips bloom and the
birds sing.
Early in the present century there was a saw-mill in this settle-
ment, just opposite the homestead of the late Rev. Mr. Burton.
On the side of the mountain in Mii-y Brook is the site of what
was a silversmith's shop, where Samuel Scribner made watches
and silverware and cast sleigh-bells. On a corner of the road
running from Mill Plain through Miry Brook to Ridgefield was
8 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
a cabinet-maker's shop, where were manufactured chairs, tables,
spinning-wheels, and various household furnishings, but the
name of its proprietor is not known.
Sweeping around to the southward lies Starr's Plain, a little
village diversified with hills, valleys, and watercourses, a good
fanning district. The little church here has quite a history,
which will be found in another chapter.
Long Ridge lies east of Starr's Plain and south of the South
Centre District of Danbury. This is also an agricultural settle-
ment, which boasts of pleasant farmhouses and fertile acres.
It has one church.
On the east of Danbury is Beaver Brook, where is the McArthur
paper mill. This is a farming settlement, and has a pretty little
chapel. Beaver Brook has a bit of Indian history which may
be interesting if not edifying. Long years ago an Indian family
lived in a cave iinder Beaver Brook Mountain, and one was
killed by his brother. The murderer was captured in the hills
of New Fairfield by Philo Chase and William B. Hoyt, of Great
Plain, tried and sentenced to State's prison for life.
North of Beaver Brook, on the east side of the city, lies Great
Plain, a broad and level expanse, as its name denotes, with fruit-
ful fields and prosperous farmers. Here is a neat little chapel
called " The Gift of God," which is used by all orthodox per-
suasions.
Early in this century an Indian family lived near Forty- Acre
Mountain, in Great Plain, and there are traditions of a previous
settlement and of an Indian burial-ground in this vicinity.
Pembroke lies north of Danbury and adjoins King Street ; it
is on high roUing gi-ound, and, like its neighbors, agricultural.
Some years ago brick-making was carried on in the southern
part of the settlement.
Like the "mother State," Danbury believes in good educa-
tional privileges, and each of these outlying settlements has its
own school-house.
The old deeds in the Record Office of the town show many
curious names given to places in and about Danbury, such as
Stubble-lot Road, Eunice Ground, Shorthills, NoonhiUs, Saw-
miU Brook, Red-root Ridge, Stadley Ruff Ridge, Siah's Gutter
on the west side of Moses' Mountain, Flatt Rock, Mashing-tub
Swamp, Wolf Ridge, Millstone Swamp, Cripple Bush Swamp,
HISTORY OF UANBURY. 9
Franks' Hill, Cat-tail Mountain, Hearthstone Hill, and many
others.
Newtown rejoiced in the ownershij) of "Jangling Plains."
Jakin's Ridge belonged to the McLean estate, and was a part of
Stony Hill.
Tradition has said that the name Kohanza grew out of " cow-
handy i^asture ;" but in the inventory of estate of John Vidito,
in 1745, we find this item, " Land at Cohansey."
In 1767, in inventory of estate of Joseph Houghton, we find
" Cohansa, " and in estate inventory of Francis Knapp, in 1776,
is mentioned " Cowhansy pastiire ;" in 1780, in the will of Rev.
Ebenezer White, among other real estate is " Cohanzy orchard."
In the inventory of estate of Zadock Benedict, in 1798, we find
written " Cowshandy Lot." In 1809, in inventory of estate of
Noble Benedict, it is written Cohanzy, and in 1839, in the will
of Colonel Russell White, we find " orchard at Cohansy."
Spruce Mountain Road, Brushy Hill, Walnut-ti-ee HiU, Chest-
nut Ridge Hill, and Whortleberry Hills, thus named by our
ancestors, are proofs that they appreciated their hill surround-
ings. Tamarack Road appeals to the older generation of to-
day as a charming drive. Thomas, Moses, and Town moun-
tains stand as they have done for centuries, pleasant in as-
pect, well w^ooded, and beautiful with wild flowers in their
season.
The Indians about here were not at any time within the knowl-
edge of history numerous. De Forest, in his history of Connec-
ticut, says that ' ' with the exception of the Paugussetts, Wepa-
waugh, and an insignificant class known as the Potatucks, the
latter inhabiting the limits of Newtown, Southbury, Woodbury,
and some other townships, the whole country now known as
Litchfield County, together with the northei-n part of Fairfield
and the western part of Hartford counties, presented an uninhab-
ited wilderness. The birds built their nests in the forests undis-
turbed by the smoke of a single -nigwam, and the wild beasts
who made it their home were startled by no fires save those of a
transient war party or a wandering hunter. It is well under-
stood that the natives were in the habit of passing down the line
of the Housatonic and up Still River during the summer season,
and planting in the valleys."
It is said that the Schaticoke Indians were divided into north
10 HISTOKY OF DANBURY.
and south tribes, of which the former were of Kent, Conn., and
the latter of Beaver Brook.
Among the records of the first church, we find the following
entry in the list of marriages j^erformed by Rev. Timothy Lang-
don : " November 11th, 1787, John Lucas to Hannah Griswould
— Indians."
There was a family of Indians living near the bridge at Never-
sink Pond as late as 1850. Indian arrowheads and other relics
are still found in the fields and about the ponds and creeks of
Danbury, but those who fashioned them have been for long years
in the " happy hunting-groimds. "
ROUTE OF "original EIGHT" FROM NORWALK TO DANBURY.
In 1879 the writer made the following statement in the News :
" It is reasonable to suppose that the original eight families
came to Danbury by what was since the turnpike between here
and Norwalk. It is the most direct route, and presents less
obstacles in the matter of high ground than any other way. So
long ago there could not have been more than a trail, if as much,
to direct and aid them. What must have been their thoughts as
they forced their way we cannot know. Judging the aspect of
nature to be then considerably more forbidding than it is now,
we must admire the courage of the original eight, even if we
cannot respect their judgment."
Whereupon a correspondent of the Neios offered the following :
*' To the Editor of the News :
" I have a word to say in regard to the route taken by the first
settlers of Danbury in coming from Norwalk. It ^oas not, as
stated in your paper, over the present travelled road. With all
due deference to your authority, I beg leave to say that the
pond, mountain, and region now known as Sympaug was in my
boyhood days known only as Ililking Yard. And first my
grandfather, afterward my uncles and father, said that the name
originated from the following circumstance : that the earliest
settlers of Danbury built a fence from the south end of the pond
across the neck of level land to the mountain to prevent their
cattle, especially their cows, from taking the back track to Nor-
walk, from whence they had been driven ; and that the citizen
owners of said cows were in the habit of riding on horseback to
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 11
this fence or barrier to milk their cows ; and also that during
the last part of the last century the mail was carried on horse-
back through the same territory. The market wagons of those
old times also pursued the same course or road on the west side
of the pond. "
We incline to believe our correspondent is correct ; that the
trail pursued by the original eight ran on the west and not on
the east side of the pond ; but we are still persuaded that the
course was largely what has since become the turnpike between
Norwalk and Danbury. There is no doubt there was a trail of
some kind between the two points, as the Indians occupying this
ground must often have visited the Sound at its nearest point,
which is Norwalk.
Presuming there was a trail, its location through here must
have been the present Main Street, and would naturally present
to the newcomers a place of residence, principally because it
defined something.
According to Mr. Robbins's account, they located close to-
gether, four on one side and four on the opposite side. Their
object was to start a village. This, with a view to sociability
and protection, would demand concentration. The lands on
whose cultivation they depended they sought here and there, as
the richness of the soil made necessary, and these locations varied
so much that to reside upon the tracts would have so scattered
the settlers as to have made the nucleus of a village " a barren
ideality," and to have put social intercourse and mutual protec-
tion beyond the pale of possibility. It is likely enough that the
eight families' homesteads did not cover more than the ground
between South Street and the Court House.
By a careful wrench of the imagination we can see Danbury
something as it existed then. We know from the quality of the
land that the eminences were full of fir-trees. We deduct, also,
from the lay of the land that along the streams alders grew in
profusion, and that in that portion east of Main Street and
west of the Town Hill Ridge there was a rather considerable
swamp.
We are jwetty confident that the swamp must have been a
prominent feature in the topogi'aphy, from the fact that the first
settlers set their heart upon calling their town Swampfield, and
12 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
were only deterred therefrom by the arbitrary action of the
general court, which substituted the name Danbury.
Thus were we saved from becoming Swampfielders.
Pahquioque or Paquaige was the name given to this valley by
the Indians. It is still preserved in the sub-name of one of our
national banks, and in one of our business buildings. The hat
factory of Crofut & White in its early days was thus called, and
almost wholly known by that name for many years. One of the
streets of Danbury bears the old Indian name, which signifies an
open plain. This feature of the wilderness here may have in-
duced the original eight, to drop down where they did.
BEANTOWN.
Banbury's nickname is Beantown. There are various theories
for the origin of this unsentimental title. One theorist claims
that it comes from the pretty general disposition of the Danbury
people in the past to cultivate beans. He says that he has seen
great stacks of them in fields hereabouts, like stacks of hay, and
has seen boys armed with pails and baskets gathering up the
beans when the stalks were removed, like Ruth gleaning in the
field of Boaz. Another observer, who takes a similar view,
writes :
" According to the ' oldest inhabitant, ' the name originated
from the fact that there were large quantities of beans raised
here in the early settlement of the town. Norwalk, being the
parent town, was often visited by Danbury people, and trade to
a considerable extent was carried on between the two places in
the way of exchanging productions. No Danbury load was
complete without beans, and half a century ago it was a common
remark by those living on the road, when a team was passing,
' Here goes a Danbury wagon, for there is a bag of beans on the
top.' At that time there was a kind of bean known throughout
the country as the ' Danbury bean.' It was a very small, round
white bean of excellent quality, and farmers raised them in pref-
erence to others."
Another explanation is that the site of our town was bought
from the Indians with a peck of beans, something like the bar-
gain between Esau and Jacob.
Of the years between the settlement of Danbury in 1684 and
the beginning of the Revolution, we have little knowledge save
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 13
that contained in the famous century sermon of the following
chapters, the probate records of Fairfield to 1740, and our own
probate records of later date. From these we glean the follow-
ing, which, although meagre in detail, may be of interest to the
descendants of our Danbury pioneers.
Nearly two hundred years ago, when Danbury had been but
eleven years settled, one of the "original eight" died, for we
find among the probate records of Fairfield that " Tliomas Bar-
num, of Danbury, died December 26th, 1695." He left a widow,
five sons, and five daughters, some of them " under age."
In October, 1697, Francis Bushnell, another of the original
settlers, died, leaving seven daughters.
The next to go of the first eight settlers was John Hoit, who
died in March, 1711-12, leaving widow and children.
" Deacon Samuel Benedict," of the originals, died in 1719.
James Picket, of Danbury, died February 15th, 1701, leaving
a widow, son John, and other heirs.
John Bouton, of Danbury, died in 1704-1705 leaving "eldest
son John," Nathanell, Eliazer, and daughters Sarah, Abigail,
and Mary.
Joseph Forwards, of Danbury, died October 3d, 1704, leaving
a widow, Lidia, who afterward became the wife of Thomas Wild-
man. He left four daughters, the eldest only six years of age.
Ann, who at the time of her father's death was four years old,
became the wife of Benjamin Barnum.
Nathaniel Hillyer, of Danbury, drew his will October 30th,
1709, and died the next day. He mentions " Brothers Wake-
field and Ebenezer Dibble," James and Andrew Hillyer, also
" Sister Elizabeth Palmer."
Nathaniel Hoit, of Danbury, died in 1712, his estate being
inventoried on May 16th of that year.
Thomas Bennedick, of Danbury, died in 1714, leaving widow
Elizabeth, one son and three daughters.
Inventory of the estate of Thomas Picket was made January
22d, 1711-12. He left a widow Sarah, six sons and three
daughters.
John Picket died May 23d, 1712, leaving widow Catharine,
three sons, and two daughters.
The estate of Samuel Weed, of Danbury, was inventoried
September 9th, 1708. Widow Mary ; sons Jacob, Samuel, and
14 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Jonas, the latter two under age, as Jacob was made their guard-
ian. Elizabeth, the daughter, made choice of her mother for
guardian.
Inventory of the estate of Captain Josiah Starr, of Danbury,
was made July 3d, 1715-16, by John Cornwall and John Gregory.
He had " property at Pocono by Ensign Knap, prop'' near Ben-
jamin Stevens, prop'' next Thos. Hoit, prop'' at Pocono next
Abraham Wildman, prop'' at Grassy Plain by John Benedick,
prop'' bought of James Crofoot, prop'' bought of Samuel Beebe,
prop'' bought of Thos. Picket, prop'' bought of Thos. Taylor,
prop'' next . . . Benedick, prop'' next Daniel Taylor." He left
widow Rebeckah, six sons and two daughters.
The estate of Benjamin Hoit, of Danbury, was inventoried
February 20th, 1722-23. He left -widow Mary, two sons and
two daughters, all imder age.
James Crofoot, of Danbury, died in 1724. His estate was in-
ventoried by Israel Curtiss and John Hoit ; Norwalk estate by
Benjamin Lines and Matthew Gregory. Widow and eight chil-
dren, three sons, live daughters.
Joshua Hoit died in 1726-27, leaving widow Sarah, and three
daughters.
Estate of Daniel Green inventoried March, 1724-25. Jasper
Green (only surviving brother) sole heir. Property also at
Newtown.
Thomas Barnum, Sr., of Danbury, di-ew his will December
17th, 1730, when about 67 years of age. Will was probated
December 27th, 1731. Widow Sarah, eldest son Thomas,
daughter Sarah Hoyt, cliildren of daughter, Esther Judd, de-
ceased — youngest daughter, Mary Barnum— grandson John
Wilks. Sons Thomas and Ephraim sole executors.
Estate of Thomas Starr inventoried April, 1734. Elizabeth
Starr administratrix.
Will of Samuel Benedict, Sr., of Danbury, dated March 4th,
1734-35. Inventory April 4th, 1735.
Widow Abigail, daughter of Thomas Picket ; sons Ebenezer
and Samuel ; daughters Hannah and Mercy. Grandson Mat-
thew Wildman, only child of daughter Mary, deceased, and
under age.
The will of Wakefield Dibble, of Danbury, dated in Stratfield,
January 31st, 1733-34, mentions " sons Ebenezer, Ezra (oldest
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 15
son), ISTehemiah (he is very lame), John (has property at Pocono,
between Danbury and Newtown). " Will probated May 2d, 1734.
Benjamin Picket died in 1724, leaving his estate to be divided
between his five brothers, sisters Sarah Vidito, Abigail Benedict,
wife of Samuel Benedict, and " ne^shew Thomas Noble, of New
Milford, an only son of sister Hannah."
The mil of John Wildman, of Danbury, drawm August 26th,
1730, and probated the same day, mentions wife Joanna, father
Abraham Wildman, brothers Abraham, John, Thomas, Isaac,
Jacob, and Matthew ; and sister Mercy Gregory, wife of Ephraim
Gregory.
Rev. Mr. Seth Shove, deceased, of Danbury. Inventory
of Estate March 4th, 1735-36. Madam Abigail Shove, widow.
Also mentioned Mary Minor, Hannah Starr, and Lydia Bouton.
Inventory of his library made by Daniel Boardman, John
Graham, and Ebenezer White.
Captain John Starr. Inventory September 23d, 1739. Men-
tions daughters Mary, Sarah, and Rachel.
Mr. Ezra Dible, of Danbury. Will dated August 3d, 1739 ;
probated in November of same year. Wife, Elizabeth ; eldest
son, Wakefield ; under age, Elisha, John ; and daughters,
Rebecca and Freelove. A posthumous child.
Samuel Knap, Jr., drew his will January 8th, 1739-40. Wife
Sarah ; sons Samuel, James, Elnathan, David. Brothers John
and Francis Knap administrators. Will probated February 12th,
1739-40. A posthumous child.
"Mr. John Anderson, a transient person, now a resident of
Danbury," drew his will on February 8th, 1739-40. Mentions
" Mother Margaret Henderson and sister Elizabeth Anderson,
living in parish of Dunfarm by Lime in ye shire of Feife in
North Britton," giving them "i of estate." "To Deacon
Elnathan Mead, of Horse Neck, my best suit of clothes now at
Ridgefield. ..."
" To Town of Danbury )
Parish of Horse Neck f ^
remainder of my estate between them, for a Presbt" school."
WiU probated March 6th, 1739-40. Inventory made by Israel
White, Comfort Starr, and Abraham Hayes.
Nicholas Bates, of Danbury, drew his will June 17th, 1741,
which was probated January 25th, 1741-42. " Wife Abegail ;
16 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
only dangliter Mary, now wife of Jonathan Pierson, of Derby ;
sons Elias, John, Henry. Brother Henry Bates, of Wallingford,
and Lieutenant Ebenezer Hickock, of Danbury, executors."
The will of Stephen Curtiss, of Danbury, was drawn January
23d, 1740-41, and probated April 7th, 1741. Wife Abigail ;
" only son Stephen a double portion ;" remainder divided be-
tween two daughters. "Brother Francis Knap and Joshua
Knap executors."
Isaac Wildman. of Danbury. Will dated February 23d, 1742-
43. Wife Elizabeth ; " daughter Sarah, now ye wife of John
Towner, of Oxford Parish. Daughter Olive under 18. Sons
David, John, and Benjamin. Wife Elizabeth and my
brother-in-law, Benj. Eouton, to be exr"." Father Abra-
ham Wildman, deceased, brother John Wildman, deceased, had
legacies from estate. Will probated June 20th, 1743.
Nathaniel Stevens. Will drawn February 1st, 1742-43, pro-
bated July 5th, 1743. Wife Ruth ; sons Nathaniel, Nathan,
Abraham, Timothy; daughter Hannah Stevens. "Grand-
daughter Elizabeth Stevens £20 if she lives with us until 18."
Youngest sons John and Ezra.
Ensign Nathaniel Stevens's estate was inventoried July 24th-
26th, 1743.
Josiah Nickolls, of Danbury, died in 1743. Mehitable Nickolls
swears to inventory, January, 1744-45.
February 12th, 1755, Seth Kellog, a minor of Danbury, chose
Ezra Kellog, of same place, as guardian.
In 1760 Rev. William, Moses and Martha Gaylord witnessed
the will of Joseph Atherton, of Danbixry.
On October 15th, 1704, Benjamin Scrivener died at Danbury,
but belonged to Norwalk. He left a widow, four sons, and a
daughter. Scrivener was probably the original of Scribner of
to-day.
Besides the names already mentioned in these abstracts of
wills, we find, as administrators, guardians, and witnesses, the
following belonging to Danbury : Piatt, Raimond, Copp, Hub-
beU, Jackson, Haris, Hayes, Bennit, and Waller.
EARLY WARS.
In Queen Anne's War, 1702, and in the caU for more troops to
attack Quebec in 1709, Connecticut promptly fiUed her quota,
O^or^- or -<:tx -^^^ -7*1 f^i- ^r>tJ -^jDcr^i cJ- -t^:^fc^^
//f/- /w <»,/)c/ci/ /i*^ «^^ >«>3r^ -y^v^/ ^-^i-yj- c.y /^rc^/f '-'^
of 4-ru^ -y fia.uy ca^^} (£^ ^,^ o/ /a£>- /« ^-- -^e^^- ^ Ar'-A
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 17
and perhaps the little village of Danbiiry may have contributed
to this number, but of this we have no knowledge, and little of
what Danbury may have done in sending out soldiers to King
George's War in 1744. We find in the records of the Starr
family that Captain Josiah Starr (born 1693) was appointed by
the General Assembly of Connecticut in July, 1745, " to be cap-
tain of one of the companies now to be raised and sent to Cape
Breton to reinforce the troops there ;' ' and in May, 1746, he
was appointed " to be captain of the Fifth Company in the regi-
ment to be raised in the expedition against Canada." He died
in Danbury in 1778, " fuU of honors and full of years."
At the beginning of the French and Indian War, in 1755,
Connecticut was called upon for one thousand men, which she
promptly furnished, and in the unfortunate campaigns of 1756
and 1757 regularly raised more than twice the number of men
assigned to her quota, and we may be sure that Danbury sent
her share into this war.
We find Josiah Starr (son of the Josiah previously mentioned)
was appointed in 1755 ' ' second lieutenant of the Fifth Company,
to be raised to go against Crown Point."
In 1757 Jonathan Starr, of Danbury, " volunteered as a soldier
for the relief of Fort William Henry, " and Major Daniel Starr
(born 1724) was "in the expedition of 1757 for the relief of
Fort William Henry."
Thomas Bamum, third, " fell in the French War in Canada."
A descendant writes that he "was killed at the Heights of
Abraham." His will was drawn on June 23d, 1755, and pro-
bated October 1st of the same year, so that his death occurred
between these dates.
" Job Northrop, of the District of Danbury, having listed
myself a soldier on an exjjedition for Cannoday," etc., drew his
will May 19th, 1760, which was jjrobated in November of the
same year, going to prove that he met his death on the battle-
field, either in the summer or autumn of that year.
Abel Sherwood, of the Probate District of Danbury, was a
member of the Sixth Company, Second Regiment of Connecti-
cut, under Captain Thomas Hobby. He was mustered in at
Horse Neck in April, 1761, and was one of a company of " one
hundred effective men." He was with General Montgomery
when the latter met his death at Quebec. In September, 1761,
18 HISTORY OF DANBUEY.
he was discharged, but died soon after from the effect of wounds
received in battle.
In 1756 " John Wood was captain and John Benedict, third,
second lieutenant of the Eighth Company, Fourth Regiment,"
of the forces raised against Crown Point.
In 1758 Joseph Hoit was cajitain-lieutenant, Ezra Stephens sec-
ond lieutenant, and Noble Benedict ensign of the First Company
of the Fourth Regiment.
In May, 1758, the General Assembly appointed John Wood,
Jr. (son of Captain John Wood), of Danbury, second surgeon's
mate in the Fourth Regiment. The Misses Comstock, of this
city, have in their possession a j)owder-liorn which bears the
following in pen and ink : A sketch of a full-rigged ship, coat
of arms, with lion and unicorn, and the motto, ' ' Honi soft qui
Trial ypense.y It bears also this inscrix^tion : "The Privateer
Snow Royal hester Doer John Wood Surgeons mate to the 4th
Regiment, ^tatis Sufe 23. Made at Lake George, August the
15th 1758.
" ' Subdue old Gallick haughty looks
Then beat your spears to pruning-hooks.' "
In March, 1759, the following were the officers of the Fifth
Company, Third Regiment, Samuel Hubbell, captain ; Noble
Benedict, first lieutenant ; Nathan Gregory, ensign.
In 1760 Samuel Hubbell was captain ; Noble Benedict, first
lieutenant ; and Lemuel Benedict, second lieutenant, of the Sev-
enth Company, Third Regiment.
In 1764 Joseph Hoit was captain and Noble Benedict first
lieutenant of the Fourth Company, Regiment, "in the
forces now ordered to be raised against the Indian nations who
have been guilty of perfidious and cruel massacres of the
English."
The lists of soldiers in these old wars give the names but not
places of residence, so that our certain information in regard to
our fighting ancestors is meagre ; but our faith in them leads us
to believe that all who were needed went with promptness and
courage.
CHAPTER III.
danbury's first historian.
About all that we know of Danbury in the fii'st century of its
existence is presented in an address called the " Century Ser-
mon," which was delivered in the Congregational Church by
Thomas Robbins.
It has been the impression here for many years that Mr. Rob-
bins was the pastor of the Congregational Church in Danbury.
This is an error. Mr. Robbins was licensed to preach, but he
was not a settled pastor here.
He was born in Norfolk, Litchfield County, Conn., on August
11th, 1777, and was the son of Rev. Amni Ruhanah Robbins,
and Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Lazarus, and granddaughter of
Dr. Francis Le Baron.*
His paternal grandfather was the Rev. Philemon Robbins, of
Branford, Conn., who married Hannah Foot, and died in 1781.
The following incident we copy from " Notes of the Baptists,"
by Rev. F. Denison :
"In 1742 Mr. Philemon Robbins, a minister of the Standing
Order in Branford, preached by invitation to the Baptist Church
in WaUingford ; for this the ministers of the New Haven Con-
sociation called him to an account, and his trial was continued
for a long time. In 1745 they called him before them and de-
* Governor William Bradford = Alice South worth,
of Plymouth, Mass. I nee Carpenter (second wife).
William =: Mary Holmes, nee Atwood.
(First) Elkanah Cushman = Lydia = Lazarus Le Baron (second),
born December 23d, 1719. I
Elizabeth = Amni Ruhanah Robbins.
Thomas Robbins, born August 11th, 1777.
20 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
manded that he should ' confess tliat lie broke the law of Ood in
preacliing to the Baptists against their consent.'' "
Such was the broad and liberal spirit of our stern forefathers.
Thomas Robbins pleasantly called his birth year " the year of
the three gallowses/' from its lugubrious array of sevens.
He graduated from Yale College in 1796. At the age of nine-
teen he began school-teaching. In November, 1779, he accepted
a call to the Congregational Church in Brookfield, as a tem-
porary supply, and remained there for the several weeks he was
engaged. As the parish was too poor to pay for a preacher
through the winter, and receiving a call to teach the public
school in Danbury, he left Brookfield and arrived here on Decem-
ber 25th. Christmas could not have been much of a day here-
abouts at that time, as Mr. Robbins does not refer to its signifi-
cance in his diary, which he began in 1796, and faithfully con-
tinued until 1854, two years before his death.
In his entry for that day he simply says he rode horseback to
Danbury in the morning, and took charge of the school that
afternoon. At the same time came confirmation of a report that
Washington was dead.
Mr. Robbins must have created a remarkably favorable im-
pression upon the people of Danbury, for, although a stranger
and only twenty-two years old, a committee of citizens invited
him to deliver a eulogy on the character of the dead Washing-
ton. He accepted the invitation and delivered the discourse to
an audience that completely filled the "meeting-house" of the
Congregational Church. This all took place within a week after
his arrival. The following extracts from his diary may be of
interest :
" Dec. 3\st. In the forenoon no school for want of wood.
Wrote on my oration. Adieu, 1799."
" Jan. 21st, 1800. Was invited to supper with a great com-
pany. O, that I may not be permitted to dishonor the religion
I have professed."
" Jf'eb. 18th. Am invited out to tea almost every day."
" -Feb. 25t7i. It is customary here for little children to have
dances, even the youngest in my school."
" jFeb. 28, 1800. Mrs. Whittlesey's mother, the wife of E. R.
White, my father's classmate, died in the afternoon of a con-
sumption."
HISTORY OF DANBUEY. 21
" April 5. Dined with the military company. Tlie militia
here appears very well. Training here on the green to-day. In
the evening all hands dance. Even the least of my school Join
the game. No less than four different sets [companies] are
dancing this evening. In the morning a little frost."
"■^ July I'd. Very warm. Much worried. People here appear
to be exceeding stupid and thoughtless about divine things."
^^ July 15. This town is i")eculiar for good gardens. . . ."
" July 30. Excessive hot. The thermometer rose to ninety-
four."
^' July d\. Wrote to my father. Wrote a piece for publica-
tion. Thermometer at ninety-seven. Eat succotash."
^^ Aug. I'd. . . . Had a hat made for my father. "
" Sep. 1. Had no school, it being training day. The greater
part of my school children dance. It being customary here,
I cannot prevent it. I do not believe a town in the State can
produce so respectable a militia as this. Two companies of
infantry, one of cavalry, and one of artillery, all in iiniform,
belong to this society."
" Sep. 24. The regiment met here. Dined with the field
officers."
" Dec. 22. The frost all out of the ground. Collecting mate-
rials for a Century Sermon. Invited out to supper."
" Dec. 24. Wrote on my Century Sermon."
" Dec. 25. Considerable labor to make all the collections for
my Century Sermon. Boys played ball."
" Dec. 30. Still engaged on my Century Semion."
" Dec. 31. Finished my Century Sermon on Gen. 1 : 14 at three
quarters after eleven o'clock P.M. The year is now closing."
" Jan. 1, 1801. Afternoon preached my Century Sermon to a
very large audience."
" Jan. 9. Have lived more than a year in this town, and all
at one house, very agreeably. AVhat shall I render to the Most
High for all his mercies ? . . . "
' ' Jan. 31. Left Danbury.' '
*********
" Hay 25, 1812. . . . Received a new hat from Danbury for
which I paid $10.00. It is all beaver. ..."
" May 1, 1835. . . . Received a letter from Mr. WMttlesey,
of Danbury. ..."
22 HISTORY OF DANEURY.
" May 4. Received a good hat from Danbury by New York,
for which I paid $7.00. ..."
A foot-note says : " Dr. Robbins first had a hat made in Dan-
bury at the bej^inning of the century. He liked the Danbury
hats so well that he generally had his hats made there, but
they cost him more than good hats do now."
His journal observes of his Danbury school that the attendance
was small, and the children ignorant in spiritual matters. Sev-
eral times during the winter he wi'ites of the school being closed
" on account of no wood."
The single public school building which the village had at that
time stood on Wooster Street, between the graveyard and the
old jail. The scholars were thus constantly reminded on one
hand of the certainty of death, and, on the other, of the uncer-
tainties of life.
While Mr. Robbins remained in Danbury he boarded with
Matthew Beale Whittlesey, a noted lawyer, and father of the
late Ebenezer Whittlesey.
In January, 1801, he gave up the charge of the school here
and retired from Danbury. While he was here he on sev-
eral occasions preached in the Congregational Church, the
settled pastor, Rev. Mr. Langdon, being ill with consumption.
He also acted as an occasional supply to churches in neighboring
towns, but did not become a settled pastor until after he left
Danbury. In 1844, after teaching and preaching for forty-five
years, he retired from active life, became librarian of the Con-
necticut Historical Society in Hartford, and remained at the
Athseneum in that city until 1854, when the weakness of ad-
vanced age obliged him to relinquish the office. He died in Col-
brook on September 13th, 1856, and was buried in Hartford.
He gave his large and valuable library to the society. His jour-
nal has been preserved in print by the family, and copies are in
the library of this city.
Mr. Robbins was but twenty-three years of age when he pre-
pared the remarkable century discourse. He never married.
While here he fell in love with an accomplished young lady,
who did not return his passion. She afterward married Knapp
Boughton, and in course of time became the mother of our late
fellow-citizen, Lucius H. Boughton.
Mr. Robbins seems to have maintained an affectionate rem em-
HISTORY OF DAKBUKY. 23
brance of Danbiiry, if we may judge from the frequent mention
of both place and people in his remarkable diary.
An enthusiast in matters of historic lore, he builded better
than he knew when he wrote that Century Sermon, which will
live as long as Danbury itself shall exist.
CHAPTER IV.
ME. KOBBINS'S SEEMON.
This sermon, which comprised about all the record of Dan-
bury in the first century of its existence and Avill forever iden-
tify his name with Danbury, was delivered in the ' ' meeting-
house" of the Congregational Society. The building was erect-
ed in 1785, at the foot of West Street, where now stands the
soldiers' monument. In 1858 the society removed into its pres-
ent place of worship, and the old church became a place of
amusement, and was named " Concert Hall. " In 1878 it was
removed, and at this writing is used as a livery stable on Main
Street, near Centre.
When young " Tom" Robbins delivered his facts the building
had its tower built square out at the Main Street front, and the
principal entrance was on the south side, the pulpit being oppo-
site on the north side. Inside the appearance was stiff enough
to suit the most strait-laced. The pulpit was a heavy, ciimbrous
affair, with a sounding-board frowning from above. Galleries
ran round three sides of the room. In the centre of the main
floor were seats, and about them were several rows of high Box-
pews into which the worshipper was shut up as being dangerous
to the community at large.
Outside the scene presented was far different from that of
to-day. The Main Street was a counti'y road above Wooster
Street, and W^est Street was another country road emptying
into it. Deer Hill Avenue was a cow path, and the greater part,
of Main Street in the neighborhood was ploughed land and
meadow, with a stone wall in the place of the present front of
plate glass.
Such was the vicinity when Mr. Robbins, having delved for
weeks into the mystery of the past, spread out the treasure
under the sounding-board of the Congregational pulpit on that
afternoon in January, 1801. He took for his text the fourteenth
verse of the first chapter of Genesis : " And God said. Let there
Rev. Thomas Robbins.
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 25
be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from
the night ; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for
days and years. "
THE SERMON.
' ' The original Indian name of this place was Pahquioqne.
The first settlement of this town was begun in the summer of
the year 1684. The settlers came that year and began some im-
provements, in buildings, sowing grain, and other things neces-
sary. Some of the families moved here that summer, and con-
tinued through the winter ; others did not move till the spring
following. '' It may therefore be said that the first permanent set-
tlement was made in the spring of the year 1685 by eight families.
The names of the men were Thomas Taylor, Francis BushneU,
^ Thomas Barnum, John Hoyt, James Benedict, Samuel Benedict,
James Beebe, and Judah Gregory. ^ They lived near together, at
the south end of Town Street,* beginning at the south end ; Tay-
lor, BushneU, Barnum, and Hoyt lived on the west side ; the two
Benedicts, Beebe, and Gregory on the east. All except James
Beebe came from Norwalk. He was from Stratford. They pur-
chased their lands from the Indian proprietors. Mr. Taylor had
seven sons, from whom all of that name now in town descended.
Mr. BushneU had a family of seven daughters, but no son. There
have therefore been none of the name in this town since, only as
it is still borne up in several Christian names. Mr. Barnum had
five sons, from whom are the famiUes of that name. Mr. Hoyt
left six sons, who are the ancestors of the families of that nanip
now living. Mr. James Benedict left three sons, from Avhom
are a part of the Benedict famiUes which survive, i^articularly
those in which the Christian name James frequently occurs.
His eldest son James was the first English male chUd born in
town. The sons of Samuel Benedict were four. From them are
those families of Benedicts in which the Christian name Samuel
is often found. Soon after these fii'st families settled here, Daniel
Benedict, a brother of the other two of that name, came and
became a settler. He was not one of the first, as has been sup-
posed. He left but one son, Daniel. f From him are the fam-
ilies in which that Christian name is often found, of whom there
* Main Street.
t Daniel Benedict, Jr., married Rebeliah, daugliter of Mr. Tliomas Taylor.
26 HISTOBT OF DANBURY.
are as many families now in town as from either of the others.
Mr. Beebe had two sons, James and Samuel. From his two sons
sprang the families of Beebes now in town. The sons of Samuel
moved to Litchfield, and afterward began the settlement of the
town of Canaan. Mr. Gregory had two sous, from whom are
the numerous families of that name.
" One of the lirst settlers after the first eight families was Dr.
Samuel Wood, a regular-bred physician, born and educated in
England. Able and skilful iu his profession, he was very iiseful
in the town for many years. From him are the families of that
name now in town. Mr. Josiah Starr came to this town from
Long Island, soon after its first settlement. He had six sons,
from whom the many families of that name have descended.
Joseph Mygatt, from Hartford, afterward mariied Elizabeth,
daughter of Benjamin Starr, eldest son of Josiah, and settled in
this town, from whom are the families of that name. The fam-
ilies of Picket, Knapp, and Wildman are ancient families in the
town, the latter of whom are now very numerous. Some of the
grandsons of the original settlers are now living. Mr. David
Taylor, of Weston, and Mr. David Benedict, of this town, are
grandsons of Mr. Thomas Taylor. Mr. David Shove is a grand-
son of Mr. Bushnell. Captain Comfort Hoyt, Thaddeus Bene-
dict, Esq., Mr. Isaac Benedict, and Mr. Joseph Beebe, the two
latter of Bethel, are grandsons of the first settlers Hoyt, the two
Benedicts, and Beebe. Mr. Abel Barnum, who died about a
year ago at New Fairfield, was the last grandson of the first
settler Barnum. The last grandson of the first settler Gregory was
Samuel Gregory, Esq., who has been dead about eighteen years.
" The first settlers having purchased their lands of the Indian
owners, became proprietors of the town. The town was surveyed
in February, 1693, by John Piatt and Samuel Hayes, of ISTor-
walk. The survey bill declares the length to be eight miles
from north to south, and the breadth six miles from east to
west. At the session of the General Assembly in May, 1702, a
patent was granted, giving town privileges to the inhabitants
and proprietors of Danbury. The patentees named are James
Beebe, Thomas Taylor, Samuel Benedict, James Benedict, John
Hoyt, and Josiah Starr. In this act the boundaries were fixed
according to the former survey.
" The first justice of the peace who was apx^oiuted was Mr.
HISTORT OF DANBtJRY. 27
James Beebe. The first town clerk was Mr. Josiah Starr. For
many years after this time there were Indians living in town,
who held their lands separate from the English people by known
bounds. It does not appear that they were ever troublesome ;
but in the time of the wars, which were in the early part of the
century, in which the French used great exertions to excite the
enmity of the natives against the English settlements, it became
necessary to provide some means of security. The house of Mr.
Samuel Benedict, at the southeast corner of the street, and the
house of Rev. Mr. Shove, on the eminence near where the two
former meeting-houses stood, were placed in a posture of de-
fence. When they were api^rehensive of danger, all the families
used to repair to these two houses, especially nights. But it
does not appear that they ever had any serious alaim. In
October, 1708, it was enacted by the General Assembly that gar-
risons should be kept at Woodbury and Danbury, if the council
of war should judge expedient. It thence follows that this was
then a frontier town, but we have no account that any garrison
was ever maintained here at public expense.
" The western part of the tovm, called Miry Brook, and the
eastern part, which now composes part of the town of Brook-
field, were settled within a few years after the centre. Many
parts in the middle of the town, which are now very fertile and
prolific, were considered by the early proprietors as not worth
cultivation. Some of them, therefore, went from four to seven
miles for land to raise theu- ordinary crops.
" One of the early inhabitants in this town was John Reed, a
man of great talents and thoroughly skilled in the knowledge
and practice of the law. He possessed naturally many peculiari-
ties, and aJBfected still more. He is known to this day, through
the country, by many singular anecdotes and characteristics,
under the appellation of ' John Reed the Lawyer.' The first
representative from this town to the General Assembly was Mr.
Thomas Taylor. He was for many years a useful man in the
town, and died January, 1785, aged 92. He continued the long-
est of any of the first settlers. The second justice of the peace
was Mr. Josiah Starr. He held the office but a short period.
He died January 4th, 1715, aged 57. The next to him in office
was John Gregory, son of Judah Gregory, one of the first set-
tlers. James Beebe, Jr., was successor in ofiSce to his father,
28 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
who died April 22d, 1728, aged 87. It is noticeable that James
Beebe, the father and the son, each bore the several offices of
justice of the peace, captain of the militia, and deacon of the
church. The father having commanded the military company
of the town for many years (said to be thirty), on his resignation
led them to the choice of a successor, which fell upon his son.
The fifth justice of the peace was Thomas Benedict, son of James
Benedict, a first settler. Samuel Gregory, son of John Gregory,
the former justice, was next appointed to that office. The next
to him was Comfort Starr, youngest son of Josiah Starr, Esq.
These seven justices of the peace are all that have been in town
prior to those now living.* It is worthy of remark that in five
instances that office has been sustained by father and son. The
town clerks have been in succession : Josiah Starr, Israel Curtis,
Thomas Benedict, Thaddeus Benedict, Major Taylor, and Eli
Mygatt. The Probate District of Danbury was established by
act of Assembly, October, 1744. It then contained the towns of
Newtown, Ridgefield, Jfew Fairfield, and Danbury. Reading
and Brookfield have since been added. Before that time this
town belonged to the district of Fairfield. The first judge was
Thomas Benedict, Esq. He held the office until his death in 1775.
The present judgef was then appointed.
" Comfort Starr, Esq., who died May 11th, 1763, in the fifty-
seventh year of his age, left to the town a donation of £800 law-
ful money for the support of a perpetual school in the centre of
the town, to be iinder the direction of the civil authority and
selectmen ; the instructor to be capable of teaching reading,
writing, arithmetic, and the Latin and Greek languages. In the
general wreck of paper currency during the Revolutionary War,
the fund depreciated to the sum of £488 12s. 9d., which now
remains. In April this school was converted into a ' School of
Higher Order,' agreeably to an act of Assembly passed May,
1798.
"At an early period in the town, of which the year cannot
* Those who have been appointed to the office of justice of the peace since those
above mentioned are Hon. Joseph P. Coolje, Daniel Taylor, Thaddeus Benedict,
Samuel Taylor, Eli Jlygatt, Thomas Taylor, James Clark, Elisha Whittlesey, Tim-
othy Taylor, and Thomas Taylor, Jr. Daniel and Samuel Taylor are since dead,
and Thaddeus Benedict is not now in office. The remaining seven are. [Note to
Mr. Robbins's edition.]
t Hon. Joseph P. Cooke.
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 29
now be ascertained, a malignant nervous fever prevailed, by
which numbers of the inhabitants died. Aside from that there
never was any prevalent epidemic in the town till the year 1775.
In that year a dysentery raged with great fui'y in all parts of
the town. The number of deaths in the town during the year
was about one hundred and thirty, of which eighty-two were
witliin the limits of the first society. Says Mr. Baldwin, in his
Thanksgiving sermon of that year : ' No less than sixty- two
have been swept away from within the limits of the society in
less than eleven weeks, the summer past, and not far from fifty
in other parts of the town. Much the greater part of this num-
ber were small children. A terrible blow to the rising genera-
tion ! ' A remarkable fact occurred that year. A military com-
pany of about one hundred men was raised in town and
ordered to the northern army on Lake Champlain. When they
went it was viewed by their friends as next to a final departure.
At the conclusion of the campaign they all returned safely, and
found that great numbers of their friends at home had sank in
death. The disorder subsided before their return.*
"The town was again visited with the same disorder in the
year 1777, but it was far less malignant and mortal than before.
In the autumn of the year 1789 the influenza spread throughout
the country. This town was visited in common with others ;
few persons escaped the disorder, yet in very few instances was
it mortal. In the following spring, 1790, the same disease again
spread abroad ; it was less universal and much more severe than
before. Many of the persons died of it in this and most of the
towns through the country. In the years 1793 and 1794 the
scarlet fever spread considerably, but was not mortal but in a
few instances. The small-pox has never been but little in this
town, and there are now few or no towns in the State where a
less population of the inhabitants have had that disorder than
in this.
" In the latter part of the year 1776 the commissioners of the
American army chose this town for a deposit of a quantity of
military stores. Large quantities of flour, meat, and various
kinds of military stores were collected and deposited here. In
April, 1777, Governor Tryon, of blazing memory, set out from
* A strong evidence that the disorder was not brought from the army, as was
generally imagined.
30 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
New York with a detacliment of two thousand men, for the pur-
pose of destroying the Continental stores in this town. They
landed at Compo Point, in the town of Fairfield, and marched,
without interruption, directly to Danbury. There was in the
town a small number of Continental troops, but without arms.
They with the inhabitants generally withdrew from the town as
the enemy approached. The enemy entered the town on Satur-
day, April 26th, at about three o'clock in the afternoon. They
soon began those cruelties and excesses which characterize an
unprincipled and exasperated enemy. Several persons were in-
humanly murdei'ed. One very valuable house, with four persons
in it, was burnt immediately. The utmost inhumanity was com-
mitted upon all except the persons and property of the Tories.
The next morning, before the king of day had arisen, the un-
happy inhabitants who remained in the town saw the darkness
of night suddenly disj)elled by the awful blaze of their dwell-
ings. The enemy, fearful of their retreat being cut off, rallied
early on the morning of the 27th, set fire to the several stores
and buildings, and immediately marched out of town. Nineteen
dwellings, the meeting-house of the New Danbury Society, and
twenty- two stores and barns, with all their contents, were con-
sumed. The quantity of Continental stores which were con-
sumed cannot now be accurately ascertained ; accounts vary con-
siderably. From the best information which can be obtained
there were about 3000 barrels of pork, more than 1000 barrels of
flour, several hundred barrels of beef, 1600 tents, 2000 bushels
of grain, besides many other valuable articles, such as rum, wine,
rice, army carriages, etc.* The private losses were estimated by
a committee appointed for the purpose, £16,184 17s. lOd.
' ' Generals Wooster, Arnold, and Silliman immediately collect-
ed such a party of inhabitants as they were able, and eifectively
annoyed the enemy on their retreat to their shipping. A spirited
action was fought at Ridgefield the same day they left this town,
i:i which Major-General Wooster received a mortal wound. He
was brought to this town, died on the 29th, and was interred in
the common burying-place. Congress resolved that a monument
should be erected to his memory, and made the necessary grant.
The charge was committed to his son, who has never fulfilled it.
* Dr. Robbiiis's account of the losses in this town is certainly far short of the
truth
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 31
His grave still remains, and probably ever will, without a stone
to tell posterity where he Hes. Notwithstanding the pnblic loss
of this town, it was still used as a deposit for Continental stores
through the war. A guard for security was maintained the
whole period. A great hospital was also kept in this town from
March, 1777, till the termination of the war, in which great
numbers died. In the autumn of 1778 a division of the army,
consisting of four brigades, under the command of General Gates,
was quartered in this town for a few weeks. Small detachments
of the army were here occasionally afterward.
" The people of this town were united in one society tUl the
year 1754. At that time a part of the town, with a part of the
towns of New Milford and Newtown, were incorporated a society
by the name of Newbury. The society of Bethel, which is
wholly in this town, was incorporated by act of Assembly, 17.')9.
In May, 1761, a small part of the town, with a part of the town of
Ridgefield, was incorporated a society by the name of Ridgebury.
" A public library was established in this town in the year
1771, which afterward consisted of about one hundred volumes.
In the conflagration of the to^vn the books, except a few which
were out, were consumed. It remained in such a mutilated state
till March, 1795, when it was dispersed. In January, 1793, a num-
ber of inhabitants formed and signed a constitution for a library
company ; $1.75 was paid on each share, and laid out for the
purchase of books. An annual tax, generally of haK a dollar
upon a share, has been regularly applied for the purchase of
books judiciously chosen. The library now contains two hun-
dred volumes. Should the same care in enlarging and preserv-
ing it continue, it promises to be a respectable and useful collec-
tion. A library was founded at Bethel about the year 1793,
which now contains one hundred volumes and is increasing.
" By an act of the General Assembly, passed in May, 1784,
this town was made a half shire of the county of Fairfield.
From that time to this the courts have met alternately in Fair-
field and Danbury. A court-house and jail were built in the
town, with some assistance from the neighboring towns, the year
following— the sum of £318 was raised by a tax, the remainder
by subscription. In the year 1791 the first jail was consumed
by fire, after which a second one was built, more valuable and
secure. The expense was defrayed by the product of a lottery.
32 HISTORY OF D ANBURY.
" A census of this State was taken in tlie year 1756. We
know of no earliei' enumeration of the inhabitants having been
made. At that time the whole number was 130,611 ; the num-
ber in Fairfield county was 20,560 ; the number in this town was
1527. Another census was taken in January, 1774. The State
then contained 197,856 inhabitants ; the county of Fairfield,
30,150 ; the town of Danbury, 2526. By the census of 1790 the
population of the State was 237,946 ; the number in Fairfield
County was 36,230 ; in this town it was 3026. This was after
the town was diminished by the society of Newbury being incor-
porated a town. In the census of the year past, returns from
the whole State have not been made ; the county of Fairfield is
found to contain 38,160, and the town of Danbury 3274 inhab-
itants. The number of towns in the State in 1756 was 73, in
1774 it was 76, in 1790 it was 98, in 1800 it was 106.
" A printing-oflBce was established in this town in March, 1790.
A weekly news print has been regularly published from that
time to this on demi paper ; it has generally been, as it is at
present, respectable for good principles and information. The
number of papers issued at first were but one hundred ; there
have been as many as two thousand ; the usual number has been
about one thousand. In June, 1793, a second paper was pub-
Kshed in town, which continued several months.
EusSELL HoYT. JIaj. Seth C'omstock. Oliveii BURli.
Saml, Wildman. Niuam Wildman.
Amos Morris. Col. Preston Greuort. Ma.j. Wm. B. Hovt.
CHAPTER V.
THE SEKMON (CONTINUED).
" We now proceed to relate, in a concise manner, a sketch of
the ecclesiastical history of the town. The time when a church
was first organized in town cannot be exactlj^ determined ; it
was probably at the ordination of the first minister. The first
minister in this town was Rev. Mr. Shove, a very pious and
worthy man, who was very successful in his exertions for the
promotion of peace, virtue, and true religion, so that the general
peace and union in his time are proverbial at this day. He was
ordained in the year 1696, and died October 3d, 1735, aged 68.
The town was destitute of a settled minister but a short time.
In a few months the church and people, in great harmony, in-
vited Mr. Ebenezer White to settle with them in the ministry.
He was accordingly ordained March 10th, 1736. * Universal har-
mony pi'evailed between the people and their minister for more
than twenty-five years. The people of the town were considered
by all the neighboring towns as eminent for morality and relig-
ion, for regularity of conduct, and for constant attendance on
the institution of Christianity, though it is to be lamented that
there has never been any special revival of religion in this town
from the first settlement. In the great awakening which spread
through the land in the years 1740 and 1741, which was probably
the most signal effusion of divine grace this country has ever
experienced, this town was mostly passed over. In the great
revival of religion in two years past, in the northern part of this
State and many other places, which is doubtless the greatest
display of divine grace, excepting the one before mentioned,
which has taken place in this country the past century, this and
the neighboring towns seem to have possessed no share. These
considerations call for sei'ious contemplation and humility.
" It is supposed, on good grounds, that the first meeting-house
* The records of the Eastern Consociation of Fairfield County.
34 HIbTOEY OF DANBURT.
was built prior to Mr. Shove's ordination. Its dimensions were
about forty feet in length and thirty feet in breadth. It is re-
markable that after the frame was raised every person that
belonged to the town was present and sat on the sOls at once.
The second meeting-house was built about the year 1719. Its
dimensions were fifty feet in length and thii'ty-five feet in
breadth. In 1745 an addition of fifteen feet was made to the
whole front of the house.
" About the year 1762 religious controversy began in this town,
and was carried to a great extent for many years. It is pre-
sumed that in no town in this State has there been more religious
contention than in this. It is hoped that the flame is now
mostly buried, never to break forth again. At the time above
mentioned, Mr. White having altered his sentiments and preach-
ing in several particulars, some uneasiness arose among his peo-
ple. The efforts of several ecclesiastical councils to heal the
division proving ineffectual, it finally issued the dismission of
Mr. White from his pastoral charge, March, 1764. A major part
of the members of Mr. White's church joined with him in deny-
ing the jurisdiction of ecclesiastical councils, and renouncing the
form of church government established by the churches in this
State. The remaining part, who signified their adherence to the
ecclesiastical government, were established and acknowledged
by the two consociations of Fairfield County, convened in coun-
cil, as the first church in Danbury. Soon after this Mr. White
and his adherents separated from the church and society, and
fonned a separate church. They were generally denominated
' Mr. White's adherents.' In October, 1770, a number of the
inhabitants of the town, individually named in the act, princi-
pally those who composed this separate church, were incorpo-
rated a society by the name of ' New Danbury.' Prior to this
they built a good meeting-house — its dimensions about fifty feet
by forty — in the year 1768, which was consumed in the general
conflagration of the town. In the same year Mr. Ebenezer White
was ordained a colleague with his father over that church.
" In the year 1764 Mr. Robert Sandeman, a native of Perth,
in Scotland, a man of learning, of great genius and art, and
according to his views of divine triith, a man of strict piety, who
had had some correspondence with Mr. White and some other
minister in this country, came from Scotland and landed at
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 35
Boston. He came to this town near the close of the year 1764.
After tarrying several weeks he returned to Boston, where he
soon organized a church. He came again to this town and gath-
ered a church, July, 1765 ; he died and was buried in this town,
April 2d, 1771, aged 53. The principal doctrines which he
taught were similar to those of Calvin and Athanasius, which
have been received in all ages of the Christian Church. His dis-
tinguishing tenets were that faith is a mere intellectual belief ;
his favorite expression was, ' A bare belief of the truth.' ' That
the bare work of Jesus Christ, without a deed or thought on the
part of man, is sufficient to present the chief of sinners spotless
before God.' He maintained that his church was the only true
church then arisen from the ruins of Antichrist, his reign being
near to a close. The use of means for mankind in a natural
state he pretty much exploded. In the year 1772, the Sande-
manian church in this town moved to New Haven. In July,
1774, several persons who had been members of that church,
together with a number that belonged to the society of New
Danbury, united and formed a Sandemanian church. That con-
tinued and increased for many years, till March, 1798, when they
divided into two churches, which still continue. There are also
a few individuals at Bethel who compose a third church ; they
all adhere, essentially, to the doctrines and practices which were
established by their founder.
"The society of New Danbury continued regularly, though
constantly diminishing, till July, 1774, when the Rev. Ebenezer
Russell White with a number of the society united with the
Sandemanians. Public worship was maintained irregularly
afterward for two or three years, till the society finally expired.
" After the dismission of the Rev. Mr. White the first chiu'ch
and society were destitute of a stated minister till February
13th, 1765, when Mr. Noadiah Warner was ordained their pastor.
The Rev. Mr. Warner was regularly dismissed from his pastoral
charge February 23d, 1768. The people remained destitute
about two years and a half. The Rev. Ebenezer Baldwin was
ordained September 19th, 1770. He officiated with great repu-
tation to the ministry, till a sudden death terminated his labors,
October 1st, 1776, aged 31 years ; a man of great talents and
learning, a constant student, grave in his manners, a constant
and able supporter of the sound doctrines of the Gospel. He
36 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
left a legacj^ of about £300 to the society, which is carefully-
appropriated to the support of the Gospel. From that time
there was no settled minister in the society till the Rev. Timothy
Langdon, who was ordained August 31st, 1786. The Rev.
Ebenezer White died September 11th, 1779, aged 70. The
deacons of this church have been in the following order : Samuel
Benedict, James Beebe, John Gregory, Richard Barnum, Joseph
Gregory, James Beebe, James Benedict, John Benedict, Nathan-
iel Gregory, Joseph Peck, Daniel Benedict, Thomas Benedict,
Joshua Knapp, succeeded by those now in office. The present
meeting-house, which is sixty feet in length and forty-five in
breadth, with a steeple one hundi-ed and thirty feet in height,
was raised October, 1785 ; it was enclosed the summer follow-
ing.
" The society of Bethel built their meeting-house in the year
1760. The Rev. Noah Wetmore, their first minister, was ordain-
ed November 25th of the same year ; at the same time a church
was organized by the ordaining council. Mr. Wetmore was regu-
larly dismissed from his pastoral charge November 30th, 1761.
In the society of Newbury, the Rev. Thomas Brooks, their first
ministei", was ordained September 28th, 1758 ; a church was
gathered at the same time. In May, 1788, the society of New-
bury was incorporated a town by the name of Brookfield. Mrs.
Abigail Knapp, now living, aged 75, widow of the late Deacon
Joshua Knapp, was the first English child born within the limits
of Brookfield. The Rev. Samuel Camp, the first and present
minister of Ridgebury, was ordained January 18th, 1769. The
church in that society was organized on the day of the ordi-
nation.
' ' There were a few professors in this town of the mode of the
Church of England as early as the year 1750. They built a
meeting-house whose dimensions are forty-eight feet by thirty-
six in the year 1763. In September, 1784, they were constituted
a regular Episcopalian society. Sixty-six persons, the most of
whom belonged to this town, were then considered as belonging
to the society. The society have had occasional preaching, but
no minister has been settled over them. There were a number
of professors of the denomination of Baptists about the year
1783. A Baptist church was constituted in the northwest part
of the town, November, 1785. The year following they built a
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 37
meeting-house, which is now standing. Mr. Nathaniel Finch
was their minister for several years ; their present minister, Mr.
Nathan Bulkley, was ordained the 8th of last May. A second
Baptist church was constituted in the western part of the town
in the year 1788. The members who survive are now mostly
connected with other churches.
' ' I shall now close with a few general remarks. The present
number of schools in town is seventeen, twelve in the first society
and five in Bethel. Much more attention is now paid in the
education of youth than formerly, though it is conceived there
might be still more to great profit. For many years there was
but one military company in town ; at present there are three
of infantry, one of cavalry, and one of artillery, which for
accuracy in evolutions, military spirit and appearance may vie
with any military companies whatever. There have been but
few remarkable instances of longevity in this town, though it
was formerly remarked there was a great many old people ; that
is not the case at present. Mr. William Hamilton, born in Scot-
land, who lived many years in this town, died in the year 1749,.
aged 102 ; Mr. John Cornwall died in the year 1753, aged 101.
Those two are the only persons known to have lived in town
over 100 years of age. Mr. David Hoyt, who lived longer than
any person ever born and living in town, died in Ajsril last, aged
97. The family of Mr. Thomas Taylor, one of the first settlers
as a family, was remarkable for longevity. He had ten chil-
dren. The whole amount of his age and theirs is 947 years, the
average of which is 86 years, but three of them saw less than 90
years. The increase of this town, in a number of years past,
has not been great, owing to very great emigration, which has
been the case with this in common with all the towns in this
State. The general occupation of the people of this town has
been farming. Within a few years considerable manufactories
have been established. In the manufacture of hats this town
much exceeds any one in the United States. More than twenty
thousand hats, mostly of fur, are made annually for exporta-
tion. The manufacture of shoes is also carried on to a consider-
able extent. At a low computation fifteen thousand pairs of
boots and shoes are annually exported from this town. A paper
mill was erected in the town in the year 1792, in which about
fifteen hundred reams of paper are manufactured annually. A
38 HISTOEV OF DANBURY.
considerable number of saddles are also made yearly for ex-
portation.
" The people in this town have generally been very free from
litigation. Within a few years it has considerably increased,
though it is not yet great. A spirit of litigation is one of the
greatest evils which can befall any community.
" In our revolutionary war the people in this town generally
warmly espoused the American cause. Notwithstanding all
that is said by the enemies of our government, to show that its
supporters were enemies to the revolution, the people in this
town, though they were great sufferers in the war, are almost
unanimously firm friends of the present Government of the
United States.
" The list of the town is not to be obtained but for a few years
past. In the year 1788, the first year after Brookfield was made
a town, it was uj^ward of $66,000 ; in the year 1799 it exceeded
$81,000.
" We have thus given a sketch of the history of this town
from its first settlement to the present time. It is not pretended
that some important facts have not been omitted, but from the
materials which can be obtained this is the best that I have been
able to collect. In the review of these things we witness the
fading nature of all earthly scenes. How applicable are the
words of inspiration, ' Your fathers, where are they ? and the
prophets, do they live forever ? ' While it is our lot to be placed
on the stage of human action, let it be our constant solicitude to
seek an interest in that kingdom ' whose builder and maker is
God.' To act our parts worthily in the vicissitudes of human
life, that, through grace, we may be approved when called upon
to pass in review before the intellectual world, that when the
chief Shepherd shall appear we may appear with Him in glory."
This closes Mr. Robbins's sermon. That it was a remarkable
prodixction in the eyes of the people who sat and listened to it,
our readers can well understand. That it is a valuable produc-
tion in any case becomes patent enough when we consider that
it is all we have on record of the doings of our people in the first
century of the town. Mr. Robbins's intelligent perseverance in
research has imposed upon this community a very large debt of
gratitude.
CHAPTER VI.
WHEN DANBURr WAS MADE A TOWN".
There is no doubt at all that Danbury was first occupied by
white people in 1684. The eight " originals" came here in the
spring of that year. The families of a part came with them and
remained here. The others returned to their homes and came
back to Danbury with theu- families in the spring following.
This is according to Mr. Robbins and other authorities ; but Mr.
Robbins was in error in believing that the first survey of the
town was in 1693, and the first patent granted in 1702.
Hon. Lyman D. Brewster, of this city, in 1886 made a careful
study of the Colonial Records, and reported the result in the
News, his report showing conclusively that Danbury was con-
stituted a town in 1687.
We quote the following from Judge Brewster's article :
' ' There was, to be sure, a survey of Danbury made by order
of the General Court {i.e., Assembly) in 1693, but it was a re-
survey, not the original survey of the town." (See Colonial
Records, 1689-1706, pages 67 and 385.)
In 1692 the General Assembly " enlarged" the town, changing
its length from six to eight miles, and at the same time ordered
a new survey, which was returned to the General Court in 1693
and confirmed by the court in 1702.
As to the " patent," the granting of it in 1702 had nothing to
do with the original formation, organization, or constitution of
the town. It came about in this way. At the May session, in
1685, the General Court {i.e., General Assembly) ordered every
township to take out " patents" and also " the like course for
all f amies granted to any person."
The purport and object of this " patent" is stated on page 177,
with all the learned exactness of an ancient legal document —
viz.:
" For the holding of such tracts of land as have formerly or
40 HISTORY OF D ANBURY.
shall be hereafter granted to them [/.e., the proprietors or
farmers] by this court, and to their heirs and successors, and
assignes firme and sure ; according to the tenour of oiir charter
in free and common soccage, and not in capitte, nor by knight
service, which patent shall be sealed," etc. Thereupon a patent
was forthwith gi-anted to Hartford, which had then been a full-
fledged to\\Ti for many years.
Between the time when, according to the Colonial Records,
Danbury was constituted a town by the General Assembly, in
1687, and the granting of its patent — or rather a patent to its
proprietors in 1702 — it is repeatedly referred to and treated as a
town in the Colonial Records.
These facts conclusively show that the date of 1687 is the right
and true date when Danbury was first made, or — as the old
records say — constituted a town. As to the time of year and
month when the act was passed and Danbury became a town,
we learn from the State Librarian that all important acts were, in
the early colonial days, sure to be passed the first week of the
session ; and as the session of 1687 began on October 13th, our
" incorpoi-ation," so to speak, "was undoubtedly between the,
13th and 20th of that month."
Other extracts from the Colonial Records, volumes 1678-1689,
contain the following reference to the settlement of this town :
" John Bur, Thomas Benedict, and Thomas Fitch, by this
court [May session of General Assembly, 1684], were appointed
and empowered a committee for to order the planting of a towne
above Norwallie or Fayrefield, and to receive in inhabitants to
plant there, and what they or any three of them shall doe in the
premises shall be good to all intents and purposes for the plant-
ing of Paquioge."
The next is from page 166 :
"This court [General Assembly, October term, 1684] orders
that those of Norwalke who were removing to Paquag and have
left out their persons and sundry of their cattell out of the list of
estates shall pay the one half of rates due according to law
from the estate left out. ' '
The third entry is from page 240 :
" This court [session of 1687, commencing October 13th] named
the new towne at Paquag, Danbury, and granted them a freedom
from country rates for fower yeares from this date ; and this
|)r.= '-^
>0~cC
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 41
court grants that the bounds of the sayd towne of Danbury shall
be six mile square, provided it doe not prejudice any former
grant to any particular person made by this court."
To this last passage the following note is appended :
" A petition was presented in behalf of the plantation of
Pahquioque, that the same may be constituted to be a towne,
and to be named Swamfeild, their south bounds to be by the
north boimds of Faierfeild and Norwalke, the north boiinds to
be halfe way to Weantinache, the east bounds halfe way to
Stratford river, the west boimds by York line."
The petition, dated October 6th, is signed by Thomas Fitch,
John Bur, and Thomas Bennydick. They state that ' ' there are
twentie families inhabitating at Pahquioque, and more desirable
persons a-comiuge." Samuel Hayes, of Norwalk, was deputed
to present the petition to the court.
^1
CHAPTER VII.
COPT OF THE TOWN PATENT.
As has been stated, a patent was granted to the town of Dan-
bury in 1702 by the General Assembly of the State, agreeable to
the survey made in 1693. It read as follows :
" Whereas, The General Court of Conn, have formerly granted
unto the proprietors, inhabitants of Danbury, a certain tract of
land commonly known as Pahquioque, said tract containing
eight miles from the north to the south line, and from the east
to the west line six miles, bounded at the northeast corner with
a rock five or six feet high, with several small stones laid thereon.
Bounded at the southeast corner with another rock with several
stones laid thereon and several twos marked thereby ; Bounded
at the southwest corner with a Rock, several stones lying upon
it and several trees marked by it ; Bounded at the northwest
corner with a white Ash tree with several stones laid thereto and
several trees marked near to a pond. The whole tract being, as
before said, in length eight miles from the south to the north
line, and in Breadth, from the east to the west line, six miles.
The foresaid tract of land having been by piirchase or otherwise
lawfully obtained of Indian Proprietors by the proprietors, in-
habitants of Danbury aforesaid, and whereas the inhabitants of
Danbury aforesaid, and whereas the inhabitants of Danbury in
the Colony of Connecticut, in New England, have made applica-
tion to the governor and company of the said Colony of Con-
necticut, assembled in court the fourteenth day of May, one
thousand seven hundred and two, that they move a patent for
confirmation of the aforesaid land as it is bounded unto the
present Proprietors of the township of Danbury, of which tract
the said town have stood seized and quietly possessed for some
years without interruption.
"Now, for a more fuU confirmation, know ye that the Gov-
HISTORY OF DANE [TRY. 43
emor and Company assembled in General Court, according to
the command and bj' virtue of the power granted to them by our
late souverein Lord, King Charles the Second of blessed mem-
ory, in the late patent, bearing date of the twenty-third of April,
in the fourteenth year of his majesty's reign, have given and
granted, and by these presents give and grant, ratified and con-
firmed, unto James Beebe, Thomas Taylor, — Samuel Benedict,
— James Benedict, —John Haite sen' r,— Mr. Josiah Starr, and
unto the rest of the present proprietors of the township of Dan-
bury and their heirs and assignes for ever, and to each of them
in such proportion as they have already agreed upon for the
division of the same, all of the aforesaid tract or parsels of land,
as it is bounded and purchased, together with all the woods upon
lands, arable lands, meadows, pastures, ponds, waters, rivers,
islands, fishings, huntings, fowlings, mines, mineral quarries,
and precious stones upon or within the said tract of land, with
all other profits and commodities thereto appertaining, and do
also grant to the forenamed Mr. James Beebe, Mr. Thomas
Taylor, John Haite, Sr., Samuel Benedict, James Benedict,
Josiah Starr, and the rest of the present proprietors, inhabitants
of Danbury alias Pahquioque, to them, their heirs or assignes
forever, tract of land shall be forever hereafter deemed, reputed
and to be an entire township of itself, to have and to hold the
said tract of land and premises with all and singular the appoint-
ments together with the privileges, immunities, and franchises
herein given and granted to the said Mr. James Beebe, Mr.
Thomas Taylor, — John Haite — Samuel Benedict, James Benedict,
Josias Starr, and the other present proprietors, inhabitants of
Danbury alias Pahquioque, their heirs and assignes forever,
according to the tenour of his Majesty's manner of East Green-
wich and the County of Kent, in the Kingdom of England, in
free and common socage and not in cap p' to or Knight's service,
they yealding and paying therefore to our Souverein Lord the
King, his Heirs and successors, only the fifth jmrt of all the ore,
gold and silver which, from time to time and at all time, shall
hereafter be gotten there, had, or obtained in lieu of all Rents,
services. Dues, and demands whatsoever, according to charter.
In witness whereof we have caused the Seal of the Colony to be
attached hereto this twentieth day of May, one thousand seven
hundred and two, and in the fourteenth year of our Souverein
44 HISTOET OF DANBURT.
Lord, King William the third, by the grace of God, of England,
King Defender of the faith.
" By his Honor's command,
" S. KiMBEKLY, Sec.
"J. WiNTiiROP, Governor."
In 1640 Roger Ludlow made the first purchase of Indian lands
within the bounds of the present town of Norwalk. A little
later the central portion of the to-mi was purchased by Captain
Daniel Patrick. The western portion was not bought until 1651.
At this time the inhabitants consisted of about twenty families.
Among the list of names of the original owners of " Estates of
Lands and Accomodations," in 1655, we find those of Griggorie
and Haite.
In the table of nome-lots for 1656 we find the names of Bene-
dict, Bushnel, Greggorie, and Taylor. Thomas Barnum, of
Fairfield, had a grant of land before 1663. On the list of orig-
inal "grants of home-lots to pioneers," we find the name of
James Beebe.
Of the " original eight," Thomas Benedict, Sr., was a lineal
descendant of William Benedict, who resided in Nottingham,
England, in 1500. Thomas, of Norwalk, of the fourth genera-
tion from William, was also born in Nottingham in 1617 ; came
to New England in 1638 ; settled in Massachusetts ; removed to
Southold, L. I., and in 1665 settled in Norwalk.
Francis Bushnell was a carpenter, who came to America in
1635, when twenty-six years of age, bringing with him his wife
and one child, aged one year. [The name of Francis Bushnell
appears among the first planters of Guilford, Conn., in 1650.]
He arrived in Norwalk in 1653, and in October, 1675, married,
for his second wife, Hannah, the daughter of Thomas Seamer.
Benjamin, Alexander, and Thomas Griggorie came from Eng-
land before 1635. John, another brother, came later. The date
of his arrival is not known, but he was one of the original in-
habitants of Norwalk, and Judah, one of the first settlers of
Danbury, was his son.
The Hoyt family are probably descended from one of that
name in Ilminster or Curry-Rivel, Somerset County, England.
" On the Court roll of this place, 4 and 5 Henry V.— 1417 and
1418— appears the name of John Hoyt," which is the earliest
HISTORY OF DAITBURY. 45
mention of the name as yet found. In 1640 Walter Hoyt was
living with his wife and three children in Windsor, later in Hart-
ford, then Fail-field, and settled in Norwalk about 1653.
James Beebe, son of John, of Broughton, Northamptonshire,
England, settled fii'st in Hadley, Mass., next in Norwalk, and
finally came as one of the original eight to Danbury.
Thomas Taylor was the son of John, who came from Warwick-
shire, England, in 1639, and settled in Windsor, where Thomas
was born in 1643. John Taylor made his will in 1645, and sailed
for England in the Phantom Shiji, which left New Haven in
January, 1647. Nothing was ever heard of this ship, but in the
following June, after a severe thunderstorm, "about an hour
before sunset, a ship of like dimensions with the aforesaid, with
her canvass and colours abroad (though the wind northernly),
appeared in the air coming up from our harbour's mouth, which
lyes southward from the town, seemingly with her sails filled
under a fresh gale, holding her course north, and continuing
under observation sailing against the wind for the space of half
an hour. Many were drawn to behold this great work of God ;
yea, the very children cryed out, There's a brave sJiip ! . . .
Mr. Davenport also in publick declared to this effect : That Ood
had condescended for tlie quieting of their afflicted spirits, this
extraordinary account of Jiis sovreign disposal of those for
whom so many fertant prayer were made continually.''''* A
statement made by Rev. Nathaniel Taylor, born in New Milford,
1772, and found in one of the volumes of Professor Stiles' s manu-
scripts in the Yale Library, says that " the widow of John
Taylor married and moved to Norwalk with sons Thomas, and
John and Jeremiah, twins." But his will only mentions
"daughters-in-law," doiibtless children of his wife, and "wife
and two sons," with no names given.
* From a letter written by the Rev. James Pierpont, found in Mather's " Mag-
nalia."
CHAPTER VIIL
RECORD OF MARRIAGES OP THE FIRST SETTLERS, AND BIRTHS OF
THEIR CIIILDRElSr.
Samuel, James, and Daniel Benedict were the sons of Thomas,
born in Nottinghamshire, England, 1617 ; came to New England
in 1638 ; was of Southold, L. I., where his nine children were
born, and settled in Norwalk, Conn., where he died about 1689.
He married Mary Bridgum, and their children were : Thomas,
John, Samuel, James, Daniel, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, and
Rebecca.
1. Samuel Benedict, son of Thomas, born 164 - ; married, first
(unknoAvn), by whom he had Joanna and Samuel. He mar-
ried, second, July 7th, 1678, Rebecca, daughter of Thomas An-
drews, of Fairfield, Conn., by whom he had five children, the last
two born in Danbury. His children were : Joanna, born October
22d, 1673 ; Samuel, born March 5th, 1674-75 ; Thomas, born
March 27th, 1679 ; Nathaniel ; Abraham, born June 21st, 1681 ;
Rebecca, married June 18th, 1712, Samuel Piatt ; Esther.
Samuel and Rebecca (Benedict) Piatt had a daughter Rebecca,
born April 19th, 1713. Samuel Piatt departed this life Decem-
ber 4th, 1718. Isaac Benedict, who was his grandson, died in
1803.
2. James Benedict, son of Thomas, born at Southold, L. I. ;
manied May 10th, 1676, Sarah, daughter of John and Sarah
Gregory, of Norwalk. Their children were : Sarah, born June
16th, 1677. Rebecca, born 1679 ; married January 17th, 1704-
1705, Samuel Keeler, of Norwalk, Conn. ; died March 20th, 1709.
Phebe, born 1682 ; married Thomas Taylor. James, born 1685,
first white male child born in Danbury. John, born October,
1689. Thomas, born November 9th, 1694 ; died July 4th, 1776.
Elizabeth, born July, 1696 ; married Daniel Taylor.
[Thomas, born in 1694 ; married Abigail Hoyt, daughter of
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 47
John, one of the original eight. He was fifth justice of the peace,
appointed May, 1738, and first judge of the district, and held
both offices until his death. He was a member of the Connecti-
cut Legislature for thirty-one sessions, between May, 1737, and
October, 1766, inclusive.]
Benedict Genealogy.
3. Judah Gregory, son of John, who first settled in Norwalk
in 1655 ; married Hannah, daughter of Walter Hoyt, October
20th, 1664. Their children were : Hannah, bom September
24th, 1665 ; John, born March 17th, 1668 ; Percie, born February
11th, 1671 ; Joseph, born July 16th, 1674 ; Lydia, born January
9th, 1676 ; Josiah, born July 13, 1679 ; Benjamin, born March
26th, 1682. His last grandson was Samuel Gregory, who died
in 1783.
4. James Beebe, of Hadley, Norwalk, and Danbury, son of
John of Broughton, England, was born in 1641, and married
Mary Boltwood, October 24th, 1667. His second wife was Sarah,
daughter of Thomas Benedict, whom he married December 19th,
1679. He was justice of the peace, first captain of the troop,
and for many years representative of the town. He died April
22d, 1728, aged 87 years. His children by his first vdfe were :
Mary, born August 18th, 1668 ; James, born and died in 1669 ;
Rebecca, born 1670 ; Samuel, born 1672 ; removed to New Mil-
ford and Litchfield. Children by second wife : Sarah, born
November 13th, 1680. James, born in Norwalk, 1682 ; married
Abigail, daughter of Samuel Sherman, Jr., December 22d, 1708.
He was deacon of the church in Danbury for a long time, and
followed in the footsteps of his father in that he was captain of
the troop [chosen upon the resignation of his father], justice of
the peace, and representative of the town for many years. He
died in Danbury, 1750. His children were : Lemuel, James,
Joseph, David, Jonathan, Sarah, and Abigail.
5. Thomas Taylor, born in Windsor, 1643 ; married February
14th, 1677, Rebekah, daughter of Edward Ketcham, of Strat-
ford ; survived all the original settlers, and died in January,
1735, aged 92 years. His children were : Thomas, born Novem-
ber 26th, 1669 ; married Phebe, daughter of James Benedict,
and died in 1753, aged 90. Deborah, born June, 1670-71 ; mar-
ried Daniel Betts, of Norwalk, and died in 1750, aged 80.
48 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Joseph, born 1672-73 ; died unmarried in 1762, aged 90.* John,
bom in 1672-73 (probably twin of Joseph) ; married Marvin,
and died in 1742, aged 70. Daniel, born in 1676 ; married EUza-
betli, daughter of James Benedict [second wife, Rachel Starr,
died July 3d, 1741 ; third wife, Elizabeth Boughton, whom he
married June 1st, 1742], and died in 1770, aged 94. Timothy,
born in 1678 ; married Mary Davis, and died in 1734, aged 56.
Nathan, born in 1682 ; married Hannah, daughter of Daniel
Benedict, and died in 1782, aged 100. Theophilus, born 1687 ;
married, first, Bushnell ; second, Sarah Gregory, and died
in 1777, aged 90. Rebecca, married Daniel Benedict, and lived to
the age of 99. Eunice, married Benjamin Starr [Lieutenant], and
had children : David, born December 7th, 1724, and Elizabeth,
who married, about 1732, Joseph, son of Joseph and Elizabeth
[Stephens] Mygatt. From this marriage are descended the fam-
ilies of that name in Danbury. Eunice [Taylor] Starr died at
the age of 90. Thomas and Nathan Taylor married sisters.
Daniel and Rebecca Taylor married brother and sister.
6. John Hoyt, son of Walter Hoyt, was born at -Windsor,
Conn., and married for his first wife Mary Lindall, daughter of
Henry Lindall, a deacon in the church at New Haven. This
marriage took place September 14th, 1666. The births of five
children are recorded at Norwalk : John, born June 21st, 1669 ;
married Mary, daughter of John Drake, of Simsbury ; lived in
Danbury, and died here March, 1746. Samuel, born October
17th, 1670 ; lived in Danbury, and died here 1749-51, probably
without issue, as his will leaves his estate to children of his
deceased brothers. Thomas, born January 5th, 1674 ; lived in
* This record Is probably incorrect, although it has been accepted by the family
for many years. The will of Joseph Taylor, drawn in January, 1764, mentions
" wife Sarah, only son Joseph, son-in-law John Starr (wife, Sarah Taylor), daughter
Rachel, wife Samuel Gregory."
The Town Records show the death of Joseph Taylor (second) in 1793, who was
born in 1703. His will, drawn in May, 1793, gives to each and every of his negroes
their freedom ; "to Negro Servant Patience, who is now somewhat advanced in
years, and hath been both to me and my parents a good, kind, and faithful servant,"
the interest of £100 during her life, and the disposal of the principal by bequest,
with all his household furniture. To his nephew, Jonathan Starr, all the remainder
of his estate, and makes Colonel Eli Mygatt executor.
Evidently this is the Joseph who died unmarried, and is buried in the old South
Street graveyard, where his grave is marked by the following inscription : " Joseph
Taylor 3nd. was born in 1703 and died Nov. 7th 1793."
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 49
Danbury ; was living in 1727, but died before 1749. Mary, born
September 1st, 1677. Deborah, born December 28tli, 1679 ; mar-
ried Francis Barnum. Joshua, born ; married Sarah ;
lived in Danbury, and died about 1726, leaving widow Sarah
and four daughters. Benjamin, born ; married Mary ;
lived in Danbury, and died about 1721-22, leaving widow Mary
and two sons and two daughters. Nathaniel, born ; married
Mary ; died in Danbury about 1712, leaving vddow Mary.
John Hoyt died in 1722, at an advanced age.
7. Thomas Barnum was originally of Fairfield, but the births
of four of his children are recorded at Norwalk — viz.: Thomas,
born July 9th, 1663 ; John, born February 24th, 1667 ; Hannah,
born October 29th, 1680. " Ebbinezer, the daughter of Thomas
Barnum, borne May 29th, 1682." There were also Francis and
Richard and four daughters, whose names are not known.
Thomas Barnum, Sr., died in Danbury, December 26th, 1695,
aged about 70. The name of his first wife is not known. He
married, second, Sarah, widow of John Hurd [died 1681], of
Stratford. After the death of Thomas Barnum she returned to
Stratfield, in Stratford, where she died in 1718, aged 76 years.
Francis Barnum married Mary , and had six sons and one
daughter. His son Abel, who died in New Fairfield in 1799,
was the last grandson of the first Thomas. Ephraim, son of
Thomas^, married Mehetable , and lived in Bethel, where his
descendants still continue. He had seven sons and two daugh-
ters : Ruth, who married John Bassett, and Rachel, who mar-
ried Benjamin Hickok.
8. Francis Bushnell married, for his second wife, Hannah,
daughter of Thomas Seamer, of Norwalk, on October 12th, 1675.
Their children were : Hannah, Mary, Abigaile, Lidia, Mercy,
Rebeckah, and Judith. Abigaile Bushnell chose Ensigne Thomas
Tailer for her guardian after her father's death in 1697.
The last grandson of Francis Bushnell was Daniel Shove.
Samuel Wood was an Englishman by birth, and married
Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Benedict, first. They had but
two children : Mercy, born March 30th, 1717 ; Samuel, born
August 30th, 1719. His grandsons, David Wood and Dr. John
Wood, were among the nineteen principal sufferers by the British
attack in 1777.
Daniel Benedict, third son of Thomas Benedict, came to Dan-
50 HISTORY OF DANBTTRY.
bury in 1689, and sold his land in Norwalk in 1690. His son
Daniel married Rebekah Taylor, daughter of Thomas, one of
the original eight.
Josiah StaiT, from Long Island, Joseph Mygatt, from Hart-
ford, and the families of Knapj^ and Wildman were early settlers,
and probably came soon after the original eight settlers were in
possession.
The families of Bouton and Comstock were probably here
before 1700. John Bouton was one of the first settlers of Nor-
walk, and a lineal descendant of the family of Bouton, of Chan-
tilly, France.
The Betts family are said to have come from Buckingham,
England.
Ralphe and Walter Keeler came from the port of London,
England, in 1635 or 1636.
Joseph Piatt was a French refugee who settled in Norwalk
about 1699. He was representative from Norwalk at the Gen-
eral Assembly from 1725 to 1790. He had one son, John.
Richard Raymond, probably a French refugee, was a land-
holder in Norwalk in 16.')4.
Thomas Seamer (or Seymore), whose daughter married Francis
Bushnell, is also supposed to have been a French refugee, who
escaped into England and soon after came to America. His
name appears in the town list of Norwalk in 1655.
As families of these various names have been of Danbury
since its early settlement, the above information may be of in-
terest to them.
CHAPTER IX.
IN THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS.
The first ecclesiastical structure of Danbury was built by the
First Congregational Society in 1696. It stood on Main Street,
between the jiresent Court House and what is now the Turner
House. The second was the Episcopal St. James, which was
built in 1763 on South Street. The graveyard on that street was
the churchyard of this structure. The building was moved to
the west corner of Main and South streets, where it was modern-
ized and converted into a tenement, and is thus occupied to-day.
The third church society established in the century was the
Sandemanian. The fourth was the First Society of the Baptists,
now more familiarly known as the King Street Baptist Church,
taking its name from the district in which it is located. The
first Methodist services were held in 1789, but the church edifice
was not erected until nearly twenty years after. The second
Baptist Society was organized in Miry Brook District in 1790,
and its building erected in 1794.
The village was made a fortified post in 1708 by order of the
General Assembly. Two houses were selected and fortified as
shelter for the various families in case of an attack by the
Indians, who were being incited to deeds of violence upon settlers
at that time by the French Government. The Assembly further
ordered that a good scout, consisting of two trusty men, be sent
out every day to observe the movements of the enemy. To de-
fray the expense of the fortification and the scout, the General
Assembly, in the following year, voted the town " five pounds
in country pay," which meant currency of the country, not
country produce. One of these houses was the parsonage of
Rev. Mr. Shove, of the Congregational Church, which stood near
the church, and the other was the house of Samuel Benedict, at
the foot of Main Street.
The only incidents of note that occurred in the centixry were
the dysentery and the War of the Revolution ; and the former
52 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
destroyed more of our citizens than did the latter, but it caused
no loss of property. The epidemic came the year before the
Declaration of Independence, and caused the death of one hun-
dred and thirtjr persons.
We give a synopsis of a few old deeds which have been pre-
served, while tlie folios in which they were recorded went up in
riame at the burning of Danbury. Among the names are some
that have never been known by the older generation now living.
A century and a half ago those now forgotten " lived, and
moved, and had their being" in this town of Danbury, but as
years went by they were gathered to their fathers, and to-day
these papers, yellow with age, are all the records that time has
left of their once busy lives.
On September 15th, 1722, " Benjamin Barnum and Anne
Barnum, his Wife, formerly Anne forward, the second daughter
of Joseph forward, of Danbury [Deceased]," deed to " Thomas
Wildman [our Af ores'' father in law]" their share in a four-acre
home-lot, and ' ' one half of A seventeen Aci'e lot of swamp and
upland," at a place known by the name of forwards plain.*
" Bounded easterly by the other half of s" lot which our sister
Lydia sold to our father in law Thomas Wildman = Southerly
by highway, westerly by Abraham Andros in part, and partly
by Lieut. Daniel Benedick, northerly by Mr. Seth Shove.
" Signed before John Gregory, Justice of the Peace.
" John and Ephraim Gregory, Witnesses."
March 14th, 1735, Samuel Halt deeded land to " Thomas
Wildman [the son of Thomas]," which deed was signed before
John Gregory, Justice of the Peace, and witnessed by Robert
Silliman and John Gregory.
April 9th, 1744, Ebenezer Knap sold land to Thomas Wild-
man, " three acres and a half of land lying in s** Danbury" —
"the same lyeth Southerly from forwards plain, being land
bought of Joseph Mygatt, also the Remainder of my land. I
also bought of s"* Mygatt lying nigh the wolf pond, being about
two acres, be it more or less, bounded west by the myry brook
and wolf pond and all other parts of highway or common land.
" Thomas Benedict, Justice of the Peace.
" Thomas Benedict and Nathan Stevens, Witnesses."
* Near Wolf Pond, in Miry Brook.
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 53
May 5tli, 1761, Matthew Wildman deeds to Thomas Wildman,
Jr., " land to be laid out in the Clear Commons in s* Danbury,
according to the Vote of the proprietors of the Common and
nndevided lands in Danbury af ores'* .
" Thomas Benedict, Justice of the Peace.
" Thomas Benedict and Anna Benedict, Witnesses."
January 29th, 1770, Charles Peck, of Danbury, deeded to
Thomas Wildman, Jr., land in Berkshire County, Mass.
Signed in Danb^•lry before Thomas Benedict, Justice, with Benja-
min Crosby and Thomas Peck, Witnesses.
From some old deeds kindly loaned us by Miss Hollister, of
Grassy Plain, we glean the following :
' ' A Record of a piece of Land of James Crof oots, lying within
the Bounds of Danbury, beyond the East Swamp in the Great
field, the s** land being swampy land, and lying for one acre and
half being bounded all Round with Common land near to Benja-
min Starr' s Broken up land, which is a Little homeward of the
East butment, the Record of s"" acre and half of land is accord-
ing to the Return of the Layers out of s"" land — Namely Thomas
Hoyt, James Bole(0. Recorded March 18 Day A.D. 1714, by
Josiah Starr, Clerk.
" Thomas Benedict, Register."
February 2d, 1744-43, Daniel Walker and Mary, his Wife,
of New Milford, deed to James Crofutt " one Certain piece of
land lying in Danbury, over Shelter Rock Hill, in the East Part
of s'* Hill containing eight acres.
" Witnesses, Thomas and Mary Benedict."
April 23d, 1745, Abraham Bennit, of Ridgefield, in " con-
sideration of Two Hundred and fifty pounds money Old Ten-
ner," deeds to " Sergt. James Crofutt ten acres of land in Gras-
see Plaine.
" Witnesses, Thomas Benedict.
Thomas Benedict y^ 3.
" Thomas Benedict, Justice of the Peace."
"May 31st, 1748, James Crofutt, of Danbury, in Fairfield
54 niSTOKY OF DANBURY.
County and Colony of Connecticut, in New England, in consider-
ation of that Love, Good Will, and Affection which I have to my
son-in-law, Stephen Trobridg, and Lydia Trobridg, his Wife, my
eldest Daughter," deeds "land in Grassey plaine with half a
house standing thereon, the other half of s"* House made over to
Sam" Trobridg, of Stratfield, bounded easterly by the street,
Southerly by Sam" Trobridg, Westerly by Capt. John Benedict's
Land, and Northerly by my other Land.
" Witnesses, Uriah White.
Sam" Gregory.
" Sam" Gregory, Justice of Peace."
June 12th, 1755, Samuel Barnum deeds to Samuel Trobridg,
of Danbury, five acres of land " lying in Danbury between Shel-
ter Rock Hill and Richards Island, located on the South part of
my land lying at s"* place.
" Witnesses, Daniel Dean.
Thomas Benedict.
" Thomas Benedict, Justice."
In 1784, one hundred years after its first settlement, Danbury
was made a shire town, dividing with Fairfield the business of
the county. The year following a court-house and a jail were
buUt. In 1791 the jail was destroyed by fire, and a new build-
ing took its place.
Danbury did not make a remarkable stride in growth during
the first century of its existence. This might be attributed to
its distance from tide- water and its lack of railway facilities ;
but even after the introduction of all rail communication, in
1852, with the chief market of the country, there was no remark-
able growth in the population until after 1880.
There is no official census on record before 1756. The popula-
tion of Danbury was then 1509. After that the census was taken
irregularly until 1790. Estimating the population to have been
three hundred at the beginning of the eighteenth century (1700),
the increase in the fifty-six years shows an average yearly growth
of twenty-one.
The next official census was taken eighteen years later, in 1774,
when the population was 2470, an increase of 961. The official
figures from 1756 to 1800 are as follows :
HISTORY OF DANBURY.
55
Year.
Number.
Interval.
Increa
1756
1,509
71 years.
. . .
1774
2,470
18 "
961
1782
2,697
8 "
227
1790
3,031
8 "
334
1800
3,180
10 "
149
By the above it will be seen that the greatest growth was in
the first period, eighteen years, when the increase per year aver-
aged a fraction over fifty-three. The period showing the least
growth was the last decade of the centnry, when the average
yearly increase was a fraction under fifteen. The average yearly
increase from 1756 to 1800, forty-five years, was thirty-eight.
CHAPTER X.
DANBTJRT IN THE REVOLUTION.
The chief event in the history of Danbury was its capture and
burning by the British in 1777. Rev. Dr. Robbins has given a
sketch of the affair in his sermon, but it is surprising that he
did not dwell more at length upon this event, especially in view
of the fact that he was contemporary with many who were eye-
witnesses of the proceedings. He gives less space to this than
to the religious controversy which preceded it.
In April, 1775, occuiTed the battle of Lexington. When the
news of this famous and momentous engagement reached Dan-
bury, there was great excitement. The bell on the meeting-
house of the First Congregational Society was rung, the village
cannon fired, as were muskets, and bonfires were kindled. A
public meeting was held, and the village orators who were not
friends of King George made fervid speeches, urging the able-
bodied to enroll themselves in defence of the country.
Noble Benedict, a resident of the town, aglow with patriotic
fervor, started to raise a company of soldiers. Many enlisted,
and the company was organized, with Mr. Benedict as captain.
The first man to respond to his call was Enoch Crosby, a shoe-
maker. He subsequently became locally famous as a spy, oper-
ating in Putnam and Dutchess Counties, N. Y., where were a
number of Tory organizations. He was instrumental in the
capture of several companies of these enemies of the govern-
ment.
There were ninety-eight members of this company, whose
names are herewith given : Captain, Noble Benedict ; lieuten-
ants, James Clark, Ezra Stephens ; ensign, Daniel Heacock ;
sergeants, John Trowbridge, Eliph Barnum, Elijah Hoit, Nathan
Taylor, John Ambler ; corporals, Aaron Stone, Jonah Benedict,
David Weed, Moses Veal ; musicians, Joseph Hamilton, drum-
mer ; Russell Bartlett, Nathaniel Peck, fifers ; privates, Seth
Barnum, Eleaz Benedict, John Barnum, Eli Barnum, James
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 57
Boughton, Josiah Burcliard, Samuel Bennet, Lazarus Barnum,
Hez Benedict, Gilbert Benedict, William Benedict, David Bishop,
Eben Barnum, Abram Barns, Joseph Boughton, John Comstock,
Enoch Crosby, Samuel Curtiss, William Combs, Isaac Coller,
Thomas Campbell, James Clements, Samuel Cook, Miles Canty,
Henry Covel, John Chapman, Elnathan Edy, Eliph Ferry, John
Guthrie, William Griffin, Drake Hoit, Thaddeus Hoit, Joshua
Hinckley, Jonathan Hayes, John Holcomb, William Hawldns,
Francis Jackson, Thomas Judd, John Johnson, Benjamin Gor-
ham, John Green, Henry Knapp, Elisha Lincoln, John Linly,
James Lincoln, Nathan Lee, Thomas Morehouse, Thaddeus
Morehouse, Done Merrick, John Morehouse, Sylvanus Nelson,
Isaac Northrop, Wilson Northrop, Joshua Porter, William
Porter, Elkanah Peck, Farrel Picket, Caleb Spencer, Samuel
Spencer, Eli Stephens, Samuel Sturdivant, Daniel Segar, Levi
Starr, John Stephens, Jabez Starr, James Scovel, Stephen Scovel,
i'eter Stringham, Isaac Smith, Thomas Starr, Ephraim Smith,
Levi Stone, Stephen Townsend, "^Samuel Townsend, Stephen
Trowbridge, Joshua Taylor, Thomas Weed, Samuel C. Warren
(or Warden), Major Warren, Thomas Wheaton, Jonas Weed,
David Sturdivant.
Captain Benedict's company joined the Sixteenth Regiment,
and was ordered to duty with the northern army, reporting at
Lake Champlain. They enlisted for a term of six months, and
the company returned home without the loss of a single member.
This was the only organization that Danbury raised during
the Revolution. Many of the citizens served in the defence of
the country, but they went away and were enrolled in outside
organizations.
Captain Noble Benedict was the father of the late Archibald
Benedict, and lived on North Main Street, near Franklin. The
captain was a stutterer, and many anecdotes based on this in-
firmity are related of him. We give one of them. When he
was at Lake Champlain with his company the countersign in
use one night was the word " Ticonderoga." The captain came
across a sentry, who, halting him, demanded the countersign.
T was a bad letter for the captain to overcome, and in his mad
efforts to clutch it he lost all memory of the word itself. In this
dilemma he shouted to the sentry, " S-s-s-s-say the word, and 1
c-c-c-c-can teU it. "
58 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
History does not tell what the sentry did, but as the captain
safely returned to Danbury, it is presumed the matter was satis-
factorily compromised.
James Clark, first lieutenant, lived on South Main Street. His
wife, on the coming of the British, sunk her silverware and some
other articles in the well, and fled with her family to a more
congenial latitude.
Ezra Stevens, the second lieutenant, lived in Pembroke Dis-
trict. His son, Eli, was in the company as a private.
First Sergeant John Trowbridge lived at the upper end of
Main Street. He was a grandfather of Truman Trowbridge.
Second Sergeant Eliph Barnum lived at the south end of the
village. Third Sergeant Elijah Hoyt lived where now stands
the residence of Charles H. Merritt, on Main Street.
" Corporal Jonah Benedict was a thorough patriot, and took
an active part in the war. He was before Ticonderoga in August,
1775, and was commissioned sergeant by Captain Noble Bene-
dict, November 19th, 1775, at Port Johns. He was taken pris-
oner with many others while on duty at Fort Washington, on
the Hudson River, November, 1776. He was on the old prison-
ship Grosvenor, lying at the Wallabout, and also in the old Sugar
House, suffering greatly from sickness and iU-usage until per-
mitted to depart, when considered at the point of death, in April,
1777. He and his old father, Matthew, who was living with him in
Danbury, were taken out of their beds before daylight on Sun-
day morning, April 27th, 1777, and tied to trees in his garden,
while the British troops set fire to his house. Prior to the Rev-
olution he carried on a farm, and afterward manufactured hats
at South Salem, where he died, March 28th, 1811."
— Benedict Genealogy.
Corporal David Weed lived in Westville District ; the drum-
mer, Joseph Hamilton, lived in Pembroke District, which ap-
pears to have been a very patriotic portion of the town.
Private Seth Barnum lived in King Street, opposite the Baptist
Church. John Barnum and Eli Barnum lived in the same dis-
trict. Samuel Curtis lived near where Ezra Mallory & Co.'s hat
factory stands. He was once sexton of the First Church. Drake
Hoyt and Thaddeus Hoyt lived in Pembroke District. Thad-
deus for a number of years kept the town poor on contract, as
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 59
was then the custom. Thomas Judd lived in Great Plain Dis-
trict. Benjamin Gorham lived in Miry Brook District. John
Green lived at the junction of Elm and River streets. John
Lindley lived in King Street District. Thaddeus Morehouse
lived on Main Street. Stephen Trowbridge lived, we are told,
on the corner of Main and Liberty streets, where is now Benedict
& Nichols' block. Levi Stone belonged in the Middle River
District. Joshua Porter came home from the northern campaign
all right, but lost his life by Tryon's troops in Major Starr's
house.
John Ambler, the fifth sergeant, was a great-grandfather of
Rev. E. C. Ambler, and was at that time a man of advanced
age. The grandfather of Rev. Mr. Ambler, Peter Ambler, and
two of Peter's brothers, Stephen and Squire Ambler, were in the
war, but not in this company. The family lived in Miry Brook
District.
Ensign Daniel Heacock was a grandfather of Colonel Samuel
Gregory. He lived in Bethel. His home is still standing. Col-
onel Gregory has in his possession the powder-horn which Henry
Knapp, private, carried in the company's campaign. Mr. Knapp
lived in the Westville District.
Jabez Starr kept the tavern which stood on property adjoining
the News office. Daniel Segar lived on the Mill Plain Road.
Stephen Townsend lived near the New York State line.
CHAPTER XL
THE ATTACK ON DANBURY.
Beyond what has been recorded in the preceding chapter, no
event of Revolutionary interest occurred in Danbury until the
latter part of the following year, 1776, when the commissioners
of the American army chose Danbury as a place of deposit for
army supplies. These were chiefly designed without doubt for
the troops operating in the vicinity of the Hudson. Danbury
was considered a good point of divergence, as it had fair roads
running to the river, to the Sound, and eastward. Again, it
must have been deemed a place of security, as but very few
troops were left here to defend the stores.
Several months later, in April, 1777, Governor and General
Tryon, of New York, planned an expedition from that city to
Danbury, for the express purpose of destroying those stores.
He is spoken of by Dr. Robbins in his sermon as a man of ' ' blaz-
ing memory." Another writer calls him the "firebrand." He
has generally been pictured as a demon of blood and flame.
By the Tories and Royalists he Avas spoken of as a just and
humane man. Rev. Dr. Peters, in his views of Connecticut at
this time, speaks very highly of him. Dr. Peters was to the
manor born, being a native of this State, and a descendant of a
first settler, but he was a stanch Royalist and a bitter Tory. He
says of General Tryon : " He was humane and polite ; to him
the injured had access without a fee ; he would hear the poor
man's complaint, though it wanted the aid of a polished lawyer."
Danbury was sacked and burned by the troops under Tryon,
to be sure, but there is evidence fi'om our own people to show
that Tryon was no worse in his conduct of the war than the
other generals engaged, American or English ; and while his
soldiers were vicious and mercenary, there is plenty of evidence
in the records of our General Assembly to show that our own
troops were not faultless in this respect.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 61
General Try on' s expedition saUed from New York on the
night of April 24th, 1777. There were twenty transports and
six war vessels in the fleet. The object of the expedition was
kept a secret by those in command. The next morning, from a
point of observation at Norwalk, the fleet was first discovered
by onr people. Its destination was, of conrse, a mystery. The
fleet passed Norwalk and stood in for the mouth of the Sauga-
tuck River. In that harbor it dropped anchor. It was now
four o'clock in the afternoon of April 25th. The troops imme-
diately landed. The east shore of the river's mouth was called
Compo Point. It was then in the town of Fairfield, since made
Westport.
On the landing of this large body of men at this place the
object of the expedition was divined by the citizens, and as soon
as possible a messenger was dispatched to Danbury to warn the
garrison there.
After the formation of their column, the British troops were
marched into the country a distance of eight miles, and there —
in what is now the township of Weston- — encamped for the night.
It is probable this movement inland led the people of Fairfield
to suspect General Tryon's destination, and it is likely the mes-
sengers were then sent out.
At the time a courier was sent to Danbury, and others were
sent elsewhere to arouse the country. One of these went to
New Haven, where General Wooster was abiding.
General Benedict Arnold, whose home was also in New Haven,
happened to be there at the time on a furlough. On being noti-
fied, General Wooster directed the militia of the city to march
to Fairfield, and he with Arnold immediately repaired to that
place. At Fairfield they learned that General Silliman, who
was in command of this department of Connecticut, had started
for Redding, on the way to Danbury, and had sent word in all
directions to have what militia could be got together to report
at Redding. Wooster and Selleck hastened to that place. It
was now Saturday, April 26th.
The messenger sent from Fairfield to Danbury reached here
at three o'clock on Friday morning. He said that a British
force of between three and four thousand men had landed
at Fairfield, and it was suspected their design was to capture
the stores here. At sunrise another messenger arrived. His
62 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
intelligence strongly confirmed the theory of the man who pre-
ceded him. Great consternation prevailed among our people on
the receipt of this news. There was no possibility of keeping
the invader away from the village. The only reliable defence
to the town consisted of fifty soldiers of the Continental Army,
who were on their way to the Hudson, and one hundred militia-
men. Of course nearly every family had a musket in those
days, but the safety of the women and children demanded almost
the entire attention of the males of the community. Dr. Foster,
who had recently been appointed medical director of this depart-
ment, had his headquarters here, in charge of the medical stores.
Four days after the coming of the enemy he wrote to a friend
the particulars of the raid. We make the following extract from
this letter :
" Danbury, May 1, 1777.
" You have doubtless heard of the enemy's expedition to this
place, and been anxious for us. This is the first moment of
leisure I have had, and, if not interrupted, I will endeavor to
give you a particular account. . . . The militia were mustered,
and a few Continental troops that were here on their way to
Peekskill prepared to receive them ; but their number was so
inconsiderable, and that of the enemy so large, with a formid-
able train of artillery, I had no hope of the place being saved.
I had, upon the first alarm, ordered all the stores in my charge
to be packed up, ready for removal at a moment's warning.
Upon the arrival of the second express, I persuaded Folly, with
M'hat money was in my hands, to quit the town. She was un-
wOiing, but I insisted upon it. We were so much put to it for
teams to remove the medicines and bedding, that I determined
rather to lose my own baggage than put it on any cart intended
for that purpose, and had not a gentleman's team, already loaded
with his own goods, taken it up, I must have lost it.
' ' As the enemy entered the town at one end after our troops
had retreated to the heights, I went out at the other, not with-
out some apprehension (as I was to cross the route of their flank
guard) of being intercepted by the light horse.
' 'After having seen the medicines, all of them that were worth
moving, safe at New Milford, I returned to town the next morn-
ing and went with our forces in pursuit of the enemy. About
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 63
noon the action began in their rear, and continued with some
intermission until night. The running fight was renewed next
morning, and lasted until the enemy got under cover of their
ships.
" We have lost some brave officers and men. Their loss is un-
known, as they buried some of their dead and carried off others ;
but from the dead bodies they were forced to leave on the field,
it must have greatly exceeded ours. General Wooster was
wounded early in the action. He is in the same house with me,
and I fear will not live until morning."
Dr. Foster must have remained here some time, as on May
11th, 1779, he writes :
' ' To-morrow all the gentlemen of the department at this post
[Danbury] dine with me, and the next morning I begin my jour-
ney to headquarters. I mean to take in Newark in my way.
" General Silliman was taken jmsoner last week and carried
to Long Island."
The tew soldiers here could not, of course, offer any substan-
tial resistance to the force under Tryon's command, and retreated
probably in rear of the fleeing families to the northward, as the
British came in from the south. It is in evidence that the enemy,
in its march from the Sound, did not disturb the property of
residents, and came through Bethel without inflicting any notice-
able injury upon the citizens or the property of that village.
The enemy reached Danbury between two and three o'clock
Saturday afternoon. The sky was clear and the sun shining
brightly when they appeared, but a storm of rain began shortly
after and prevailed through the night.
While the British were marching here General Silliman, of the
American army, was proceeding to Redding with a handful of
troops in pursuit. At Redding he halted to enable recruits to
reach his standard. Here he was joined by Wooster and Arnold
and such citizens as they could rally on the way, but it was
eleven o'clock at night when the force gathered to punish Tryon
reached Bethel, two miles south of this village.
Owing to the weariness of the men, and the fact that their
miiskets were seriously crippled by the downpour of rain, it
was decided to rest for the night, and make an attack on the
enemy on its return from Danbury.
64 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
The number of our troops at Bethel that night is variously-
estimated. The number of seven hundred appears to be the
nearest correct. One writer is positive that it equalled the Brit-
ish force ; but this, in view of all other evidence, is an unreason-
able estimate. From the disposition of our forces in this part
of the State at that time, no such body of organized troops could
have been here then. It is probable there were five hundred
soldiers, regular and militia, and two hundred citizens whose
zeal for the cause made them shoulder the family musket and
join in the pursuit.
While the seven hundred Americans were making themselves
as comfortable as possible in the rain at Bethel, Tryon's followers
were making merry in this village.
Uuu^E wiiKUE Gen'l David \V
"WOOSTER MONUMENT.
Corner Cupeoakh in Old IIofsE
■^ IN WHICH WOOSTER DiEU.
Shelves J^ed., Pillars and Doaie Blue^
Arch White, Outside Old Green.
CHAPTER XII.
THE BRITISH IN DANBURY.
What military force was here to defend Danbury was under
the command of Joseph P. Cooke, a resident, who held the rank
of colonel. Another prominent citizen was Dr. John Wood.
He had in his employ a yonng man named Lambert Lockwood.
He sent him out as a scout to learn where the enemy were, some-
thing of their number, and about the time they might be ex-
pected to reach the village.
Some four miles below here is an eminence called Hoyt's HiU.*
It is not on the turnpike, but is located by the road to Lonetown,
southeast of the "pike. It was along this road the British ap-
proached Bethel.
An incident occurred here that has been confused by two or
three versions. Hollister, in his history of Connecticut, says
that Try on was confronted on Hoyt's Hill by a presumably
insane horseman, who appeared on the crest, waving a sword,
and conducting himself very much as if he was in command of
a considerable army in the act of climbing the opposite side of
the hill. The British commander halted his force and sent out
skirmishers to reconnoitre, when it was discovered that the
stranger was alone, and instead of leading on an enthusiastic
army to almost certain victory, was making the best of his way
back to Danbury.
This account is apparently a distortion of an incident that
really did occur, although it has the sanction of local tradition,
and is repeated (in honest belief) by several aged residents who
had it from their parents who were living here at the time.
* Dr. Adelaide Holten, a lineal descendant of Thomas Taylor, one of the first set-
tlers, has heard her grandmother tell of seeing the approach of the British as she
was returning on horseback over Hoyt's Hill from a visit to a neighbor. She de-
scribed the gleam of the scarlet uniforms, and the flash of arms, and said that she
dashed on toward Bethel, shouting, " The British are coming 1 The British are
coming 1"
66 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Young Lambert reached the summit of Hoyt's Hill, when he
suddenly and rather unexpectedly came upon the foe. He must
have been riding at a smart speed, or he would not have become
so helplessly entangled as he turned out to be. When he dis-
covered the enemy he was too close upon them to get away, and
in attempting it he was wounded and captured.
He learned a great deal of the British and their designs, but
the value of it was considerably impaired by this incident.
Young Lockwood was brought to Danbury with his captors,
and was left here. It is said that he was once a resident of Nor-
walk. When there he did a favor for General Tryon, on the
occasion of an accident to that officer's carriage when he was
driving through Norwalk. General Tryon recognized him, and
in return for the favor ordered his discharge, and was writing a
parole for him, to secure him against further molestation by the
British, when the news of the approach of Wooster caused him
to turn his attention to getting out of town.
After leaving Bethel the ranks were deployed, and Danbury
was approached in open order, some of the advance being so
far deployed as to take in Shelter Rock Ridge on the right and
Thomas Mountain on the left.
On reaching the south end of our village General Tryon took
up his headquarters in the house of Nehemiah Dibble, on South
Street. The same building was known as the Wooster place
(from the fact of General Wooster dying there a few days later)
until its destruction some years ago.
It was between two and three o'clock in the afternoon when
the British arrived. The leader having selected his headquarters,
the quartering of the force for the protection of themselves was
next attended to. Tryon's assistants, Generals Erskine and
Agnew, accompanied by a body of mounted infantry, proceeded
up Main Street to the junction of the Barren Plain Road (now
White Street), where Benjamin Knapp lived. His house stood
where is now the Nichols brick block, long known as Military
Hall, the corner of which is now occupied as a drug store.
The two generals quartered themselves upon Mr. Knapp, taking
complete possession of the house, with the exception of one
room, where Mrs. Knapp was lying ill.
On this dash up Main Street the party met with two incidents.
Silas Hamilton had a piece of cloth at a fuller's on South Street,
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 67
It is said that Major Taylor was the fuller. When Hamilton
heard of the approach of the enemy, he mounted his horse and
rode off at full speed for his goods. He Avas rather late, how-
ever, and wh6n he came out to remount his horse, a squad of the
force was upon him. He flew iip Main Street wdth a half dozen
troopers in full pursuit, and on reaching West Street he turned
into it, with the hair on his head very erect.
The pursuers followed him, and one in advance and close upon
him swung his sword to cut him down, when a singular but
most fortunate accident occurred. Hamilton lost a part of his
hold upon the roll, to which he had until this time tenaciously
clung, and the cloth flew out like a giant ribbon, frightening the
pursuing animals, and rendering them unmanageable, so Mr.
Hamilton escaped with his cloth.*
The column that came up Main Street were fired upon from
the house of Captain Ezra Starr, which stood where now is the
residence of Mrs. D. P. Nichols, corner of Main and Boughton
streets. The shots, it has been claimed, were fired by four
young men. It was an act of reckless daring, and the actors
must have been very young, as the shots could have had no other
effect than to exasperate the invaders.
Dr. Robbins, in his account of the battle, says that one valu-
able house with four persons in it was burned, but does not say
who the persons were. The men who fired on the enemy, from
Captain Starr's house, were Idlled, and their bodies were burned
in the building ; but there were not four of them, there were
three. One of these was a negro, named Adams. The two white
men were Joshua Porter and Eleazer Starr. The former was a
member of Noble Benedict's company, organized in 1775. He
was great-grandfather of Colonel Samuel Gregory of this town,
and lived in that part of the town that is called Westville Dis-
trict. He was in the village after a gallon of molasses when the
enemy came.
Starr lived where now stands the Neios building. He and
* The first ancestor of the Hamilton family in this country was "William, a son of
Gallatin Hamilton, of Glasgow, Scotland. William was born in Glasgow in 1643 ;
came early to New England ; settled in Cape Cod, and was persecuted as one who
dealt with evil spirits, for having killed the first whale on the New England Coast.
He afterward went to South Kingston, R. I., and then came to Danbury, where he
died in 1746, aged 103 years. This is a matter of family record, and also of anti-
quarian history.
ba HISTORY OF DANBIIRY.
Porter went into Captain Starr's house to observe the coming of
the British. Colonel Gregory understands that the negro was in
the employ of Captain Starr. Depositions before the General
Assembly, made in 1778, show that this Adams was a slave and
belonged to Samuel Smith, in Redding. His service may have
been leased to Captain Starr ; at any rate, he died with Porter
and Starr. A British officer, who was present at the time, sub-
sequently spoke of the incident to a neighbor. He killed the
negro himself.
As the British troops reached the present location of the court
house their artillery was discharged, and the heavy balls, six
and twelve-pounders, flew screaming up the street, carrying
terror to the hearts of the women and children, and dismay to
the heads of the homes thus endangered.
Immediately upon Generals Agnew and Erskine taking up
their quarters in Mr. Knapp's house, a picket was located. One
squad of twenty men occupied the rising ground where is now
the junction of Park Avenue and Prospect Street. A second
took position on the hill near Jarvis Hull's house. The third
was located on what is now called Franklin Street. We have no
information of other picket squads, but it is likely that every
approach to the village was guarded.
It is related of a brother of Joshua Porter that, coming into
the village to see what the British were doing, he came upon
three of the picket stationed on Park Avenue. They commanded
him to halt.
" What for ?" he inquired, still continuing toward them.
" You are our jirisoner," said they.
" Guess not," he laconically replied, moving steadily upon
them.
1 " We'll stick you through and through, if you don't stop,"
one of them threatened, advancing close to him.
Porter was a man of very powerful build, with muscles like
steel, and a movement that was a very good substitute for light-
ning. They were close upon him. There was a gulch back of
them. In a flash he had the foremost trooper in his grasp. In
the next instant he had hurled him against the other two,
and the three went into the gulch in a demoralized heap.
The rest of the squad, seeing the disaster, immediately
surrounded and subdued Porter. This little affair, it is
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 69
said, gave the name of Squabble Hill to that neighbor-
hood.
Porter and a man named Bainnm are believed to be the only
prisoners the enemy carried away from Danbury. They were
taken to New York City and confined in the infamous Sugar
House prison. Porter was subsequently released and returned
home, but Barnum died there from starvation. When found he
had a piece of brick in his hand, holding it to his mouth, as if
to draw moisture from it to cool his feverish throat.
The main body of the troops remained in the village and
shortly engaged in the destruction of the military stores.
Those in the Episcopal Church were rolled out into the street
and there fired, as the edifice was of the Church of England, and
so reverenced by the English invader.
Two other buildings contained stores. One of these was a barn
belonging to Nehemiah Dibble. The goods were taken out and
burned to save the building, as Dibble was a Tory. The other
was a building situated on Main Street, near where is now Sam-
uel C. Wildman's place. It was full of grain. It was burned
with its contents. It is said that the fat from the burning meat
ran ankle-deep in the street. No less free ran the ram and wine,
although not in the same direction. The soldiers who were
directed to destroy these tested them first, and the result was as
certain as death. Before night had fairly set in the greater part
of the force were in a riotous state of drunkenness. Discipline
was set at naught. King George stood no chance whatever in
the presence of King Alcohol, and went down before him at once.
The riot continued far into the night. Danbury was never before
nor since so shaken.
The drunken men went up and down the Main Street in squads,
singing army songs, shouting coarse speeches, hugging each
other, swearing, yelling, and otherwise conducting themselves as
becomes an invader when he is very, very drunk.
The people who had not fled remained close in their homes,
sleepless, full of fear, and utterly wretched, with the ghastly
tragedy at Captain Starr's house hanging like a pall over them.
The night was dark, with dashes of rain. The carousers tumbled
down here and there as they advanced in the stages of drimken-
ness. Some few of the troops remained sober, and these per-
formed the duties of the hour. One of these was the marking
70 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
of a cross upon the buildings which belonged to the Tories. This
was done with pieces of lime. There was considerable of this
property. Sympathizers with the government of the mother
country abounded hereabouts. They were men who honestly
believed that colonies had no right to secede from the crown,
and they defended their belief when they could, and cherished
it at all times. They were jubilant now. The proper authorities
were in possession, the rebel element was overcome, and the
Tories believed that Danbury was forever redeemed from the
pernicious sway of the rebellion.
It is said that two of these people piloted Tryon to Danbury.
The names given are Stephen Jarvis and Eli Benedict. It is
further said that they fled from Danbury. Some time after
Benedict came back, but being threatened with violence he left
for good. Jarvis went to Nova Scotia, where he made his home.
Once he returned on a visit to his sister. He came privately,
but the neighbors, getting word of his presence, went to the
house in search of him. His sister hid him in her brick oven,
and when the danger was over he secretly left Danbury for Nova
Scotia, never again to return. This statement was made in an
appendix to an edition of Eobbins's address brought out in 1851.
In its issue of April 2d of that year the Danbury Times prints
the following :
" We refer to this statement in order to make a correction in
point of fact, as well as of time. The brother of one of the
alleged guides, a venerable resident of this town, proves an alibi
in the case of Stephen. He says that at the time the British
entered the town Stephen was confined at Stamford with the
small-pox, and did not join the British until some time after-
ward. He assigns a very tender reason for Stephen's Toryism.
At that tune our neighboring village of Newtown was, according
to his statement, largely given to the Tory faith, and Stex^hen's
sweetheart was of that stock. ' '
CHAPTER XIII.
THE BURNING OF DANBURT.
That night of Ajiril 26tli, 1777, was not a particularly happy
one for the general in command of the British forces. He had
met with a complete success in reaching Danbury and destroy-
ing the stores, which was the object of his mission ; but the
great bulk of his force was helpless in the strong embrace of
New England rum, and news had come that a force of the enemy
was gathering and marching toward him. They were anxious
hours to the three generals and their aids, but especially to him
on whom rested all the responsibility of the expedition.
Besides the approach of Wooster's men there was the small
band of troops under command of Colonel Cooke, who were un-
doubtedly near by, ready to give vigorous help to an attacking
force, knowing every foot of the ground, and capable of giving
an infinite amount of annoyance, if nothing more. Then there
were gathering farmers from the outlying districts, who had
through the afternoon given substantial evidence of their pres-
ence by creeping up as near as possible and firing at the pickets.
The darkness that fell about the town after nightfall might par-
donably be i^eopled with many dangers by even a less imagina-
tive person than was the British general.
In the mean time Benjamin Knapp was having his own particu-
lar trouble.
Mr. Knapp was a tanner. His house stood on what is now
White Street, near the corner of Main. White Street was then
called Barren Plain Road, and this name was given it because
the road ran across the Balmforth Avenue region, which was then
pretty much sand.
It is very rarely the resident of a humble village has two briga-
dier-generals come to spend Sunday with him, and the advent of
Generals Agnew and P>skine should have been an unbounded
delight to Mr. Knapp, but it is doubtful if it were.
72 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
The generals made themselves fully at home. There was no
stiffness about them. They killed Mr. Knapp's stock, and cut
up the meat on his floor, and the dents thereof were visible as
long as the building stood. Mr. Knapp' s wife was a sorely afflicted
invalid, but her inability to attend to domestic duties did not in
any way embarrass the guests, yet it was very unpleasant for
Mr. Knapp. Besides that, the neighboring people, on that event-
ful afternoon, drew near to the town with their long-barrelled
guns, and taking advantage of the heavy growth of alders along
the stream, fired at a redcoat wherever he showed himself.
There was a picket stationed on the Main Street bridge, and this
party was a special target. All this made Mr. Knapp very ner-
vous, as he could not very satisfactorily show that he was not in
league with the ambushed patriots, and he feared his property
would sufl'er.
However, it did not. The British generals, in view of their
accommodation and the illness of Mrs. Knapp, spared the house
in the general conflagration that followed.
The house was removed twenty-five years ago to make room
for the present building.
At midnight the uproar caused by the inundation of two thou-
sand soldiers, and the absorption of such a great quantity of
New England rum, had to a great degree abated. Tryon was
fully awake. His position was becoming exceedingly perilous.
Shortly after midnight word came to him that the rebels under
Wooster and Arnold liad reached Bethel, and were preparing to
attack him. This was unexpected to him. He had thought to
spend the Sabbath leisurely in Danbury. The word that came
from Bethel radically changed his programme. At once all
became bustle. The drunken sleepers were aroused to new life
by the most available means, and a movement made toward
immediate evacuation.
It was nearly one o'clock Sunday morning when Tryon got
word of the Bethel gathering. Up to that hour there had been
but thi-ee buildings destroyed (already mentioned). As soon as
the men were aroused and in place, excepting those detailed for
picket, the work of destruction began. This was about two
o'clock. In the next hour the buildings owned by Tories were
marked with a cross, done with a chunk of lime. The work of
burning was then commenced.
BoKN, May 4Tii, iios— Died, .March Oth, 1.S43.
L'TioNARY Soldier, and was in the Battle where Gen'l Wooster was Shot.
INE PLACE IN the OlD HoMESTEAD IN GkEAT PlAIN FOR MORE THAN OnE HuNDRED YEAK8,
UISTORY OF DANBUEY. 73
The first house burned stood just west of the Episcopal Church
on South Street, but some little distance from the street. There
was a long garden attached to it, and at the opposite end of the
garden, almost reaching Main Street, was another house.
It is not known who lived in either of these, but they may
have been Jonah and Matthew Benedict, who lost property in
the fire, and who are supposed to have lived on South Street.
Captain Daniel Taylor, Major Taylor, Comfort Hoyt, Jr., and
Joseph Wildman were also among the sufferers. The second
house fired was on the east side of Main Street, a few rods from
the corner of South Street, and where the big pine-tree now stands.
After that there was no order in the firing, but the flames
seemed to burst out simultaneously in all directions.
The house of Major Taylor stood on the southwest corner of
what are now South and Mountainville streets, and was the last
house fired by the British as they left the town. An old lady
afterward said that if slie had not been so frightened, she could
have put out the newly kindled fire with a pail of water.
Dr. John Wood's house, wliich stood where is now the home-
stead of the late Philander Comstock, was destroyed. There
were two wells in this vicinity, each of which was filled with
iron, cannon-balls, etc., which could not be burned.
On the opposite side of the street the house of Captain J^^liS''^'''''^
Clark was burned. Next was the house of Major Mygatt, which -'
was burned, as was also the residence of Rev. Ebenezer White,
near the court-house.
Zadock Benedict's house stood just north of the depot. Mr.
Knapp mi;st have thought the trouble was getting pretty close
to him. Captain Joseph P. Cooke also lost his house, which
stood on the site of the residence of Mr. Lucius P. Hoyt.
The record says there were in all nineteen houses burned, and
also several stores and shops. Near the homestead of the late
Samuel C. Wildman was a blacksmith's shop which went up in
flame. In it was made a part of the chains with which the
Hudson was barricaded at West Point. The meeting-house of
the New Danbury Society was burned. This stood on Liberty
Street, between Delay Street and Eailroad Avenue.
As but nineteen houses were burned, it was not so much of a
conflagration after all. Danbury had then a population of some
twenty- five hundred. To accommodate these, there must have
7
74 HISTORY OF DANB0RT.
been at least four hundred dwellings in the township, including
Bethel village, and nearly, if not quite two hundred in this
village. Historians say that every house was burned except
those belonging to Tories. If this be so, then the humiliating
reflection is ours that the great bulk of Danbury was Tory.
Thank Heaven for the strength to believe it was not so ! It is
likely that the British burned only those buildings that were
available in their hasty getting together, including those whose
owners may have been particularly obnoxious to the loyal heart.
With the fire well under way, the pickets were caUed into the
formed line, and the invading army took up its march in retreat.
Tryon did not imdertake to return as he came. The force
under Wooster, at Bethel, deterred him from that, and he sought
to make detour through Ridgebury. The column left Danbury
through Wooster Street, taking the Miry Brook Road. It was
lighted by the flames of the burning buildings. It was not quite
daylight of Sunday morning, April 27tli.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE RETREAT AND PURSUIT.
All that was transpiring was made known to the anxious
American leaders in Bethel by patriotic citizens, who were awake
and alert all through that wretched night. When it was told
Wooster that the British had withdrawn from Danbury, not
moving back tlie way they came, but going toward the Hudson,
he and his companions, Silliman and Arnold, held a brief coun-
cil of war. It was suspected that Tryon was trying to make the
river, or might possibly be engaged in a detour.
The American force was divided into two troops. Wooster
sent Silliman and Arnold with five hundred men across country
to Ridgefield. With two hundred men he hurried to Danbury.
With the first force he was going to intercept the enemy, with
the second he would harass its rear, and do all the damage pos-
sible until the general engagement came on.
Before the last of the British were fairly out of the village the
gray dawn of the Sabbath waved up from the east through the
rain, and as it advanced into the broader light of the new day,
it showed the long line of British filing through Miry Brook
Road, and the straggling but determined rebels, armed with long
miiskets, carried with both hands, bringing up the rear, and
doing their level best to harass the foe, and succeeding. Still
with all their patriotic zeal we are obliged to entertain but a
poor idea of their marksmanship, for there is no record that any
of the enemy were killed on Danbury soil. Among this crowd
of daring, if not efl'ective, persons there was one who was suffi-
ciently rapid in his manual of arms, however short he may have
fallen from being effective. He was poised on a fence the after-
noon before and fired thirty-two shots at the skirmish line of the
advancing British, without being touched by a single one of the
many bullets sent after him. When his ammunition was gone
76 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
he held up his cartouch-box to the enemy to show its emptiness,
and then left, shouting as he ran these very patriotic words :
" He that fights and runs away
May live to fight another day.
But he that is in battle slain
Shall never live to fight again."
A movement of a body of two thousand men could not be
made, of course, without the knowledge of the neighbors. The
people of the adjoining districts and villages had been apprised
of the arrival of the British in Danbury by the families who had
lied from the doomed town. All that Saturday night men were
hovering about the place, looking vpith hungry eyes for every
manifestation from the enemy.
No sooner had the line taken up its march than these people
knew of it, and determining the route, sought to annoy the
march all that was in their power to do.
One of their acts was to destroy the bridge over Wolf Pond
Run, in Miry Brook District. When the enemy reached this
place they were obliged to stop and throw over a temporary
bridge of rails. This made a delay and enabled the forces under
Wooster to gain headway.
One historian says that the British marched through Sugar
Hollow. This is plausible enough if the force had been an ex-
cursion party hurrying to Ridgetield to take a railway train, but
no military man would be so insane as to take his men through
such a defile, where there was every advantage and ample pro-
tection for an enemy.
General Tryon took his people through Ridgebury, having an
open country for his skirmishers. He was confident that by
making this detour he would mislead Wooster, and escape to his
boats without serious interruption.
General Wooster sent Arnold and Silliman, as we have already
indicated, direct to Ridgefield, across the country from Bethel,
while he struck out in a more northerly direction, intending to
strike the foe before he reached Ridgefield.
In this he succeeded. He came upon the enemy while they
were breakfasting, about eight o'clock in the morning of that
eventful Sunday. He appeared from a piece of woods, and
struck a rear regiment with such unexpected force, that he cap-
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 77
tured forty of the men before the command was fairly aware of
his presence. He withdrew as rapidly as he came, but shortly
after made another dash, while the enemy were in motion, and
it was then the fight took place in which he lost his life.
It was about eleven o'clock in the morning when Wooster's
force made its second attack. The enemy had six pieces of
artillery, three in front and three in the rear. It was with the
latter guns that the attack of Wooster was resisted. The scream-
ing grapeshot frightened the American troops, and caused them
to waver. Seeing this, General Wooster turned in his saddle,
and shouted to them, " Come on, my boys ! Never mind such
random shots!" And it was then that he received the fatal
wound. A mi^sket-ball, said to have been fired by a Tory,i^
struck him in the back, broke the bone, and lodged in his body.^-
The British must have been on the retreat or his friends would
not have been able to recover his person, as he fell when he was
shot. The great sash* which he wore was unwound, and being
spread out as a blanket, he was put in it and carried from the
field. Then he Avas placed in a carriage and slowly brought
back to Danbury. The wound was dressed on the field by a
Dr. Turner. In Danbury he was attended by several surgeons.
One of his aides took command of his little army after he fell,
and retired wdth them.
This engagement took place amid scrub pines and rocks of a
plain two miles north of Ridgefield post-office.
* This sash with his sword is now in Yale College.
CHAPTER XV.
THE FIGHT IN KIDGEFIELD.
There are several accounts of this engagement, which was a
part of the battle opened by Wooster. According to the accounts,
Arnold and Silliman must have reached Ridgefield about the
time that Wooster received his fatal wound, at eleven o'clock on
Sunday morning. The firing in that fight must have been dis-
tinctly heard by Arnold and Silliman.
In the issue of the Connectictd Journal, printed the latter part
of that week, May 2d, appeared an account of the raid in Dan-
bury and the fight in Ridgefield. Of the latter it says :
" General Arnold, by a forced march across the country,
reached Ridgefield at eleven o'clock, and having posted his small
party of five hundred men, waited the approach of the enemy,
who were soon discovered advancing in a column with three field
pieces in front and three in the rear, and large flank guards of
war, two hundred men in each. At noon they began discharg-
ing their artillery, and were soon within musket-shot, when a
smart action ensued between the whole, which continued about
an hour, in which our men behaved with great spirit, but being
overpowered by numbers were obliged to give way, though not
until the enemy were raising a small breastwork, thrown across
the way, at which General Arnold had taken post with about
two hundred men (the rest of our small body were posted on the
flanks), who acted with great spirit. The general had his horse
shot under him, when the enemy were within about ten yards of
him, but luckily received no hurt. Recovering himself, he drew
his pistol and shot the soldier, who was advancing with his bay-
onet. He then ordered his troops to retreat through a shower of
small and grape shot.
" In the action the enemy suffered very considerably, leaving
about thirty dead and wounded on the ground, besides a number
of unknown buried. Here we had the misfortune of losing Lieu-
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 79
tenant-Colonel Gold, one subaltern, and several privates killed
and wounded.
" It was found impossible to rally our troops, and General
Arnold ordered a stand to be made at Saugatuck Bridge, where
it was expected the enemy would pass.
" At nine o'clock a.m. the 28th about five hundred men were
collected at Saugatuck Bridge, including part of the companies
of Colonel Lamb's battalion of artillery, with three field pieces,
under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Oswald ; a field piece
with part of the artillery company from Fairfield, sixty Conti-
nental troops, and three companies of volunteers from New
Haven, with whom General Arnold and Silliman took post about
two miles above the bridge. Soon after the enemy appeared in
sight their rear was attacked by Colonel Huntington (command-
ing an army of about five hundred men), who sent to General
Arnold for instnictions, and for some oflScers to assist him.
" General Silliman was ordered to his assistance. The enemy
finding our troops advantageously posted made a halt, and after
some little time wheeled oflE to the left and forded Saugatuck
River, three miles above the bridge. General Arnold observing
this motion, ordered the whole to march directly for the bridge
in order to attack the enemy in the flank. General Silliman at
the same time to attack their rear. The enemy, by running full
speed, had passed the bridge on Fairfield side with their main
body before our troops could cross it. General Silliman finding
it impossible to overtake the enemy on their route, proceeded to
the bridge, where the whole were formed. They marched in
two columns, one with two field pieces on the right, the other
on the left of the enemy, when a smart skirmishing and firing
of field pieces ensued, which continued aboiit three hours.
" The enemy having gained the high hill of Compo, several
attempts were made to dislodge them, but without efl'ect. The
enemy landed a number of fresh troops to cover their embarka-
tion, which they effected a little before sunset, weighed anchor
immediately, and stood across the sound for Huntington, on
Long Island. Our loss cannot be exactly ascertained, no return
being made. It is judged to be about sixty kiUed and wounded.
Among the killed are one lieutenant-colonel, one captain, four
subalterns, and Dr. David Atwater, of New Haven, whose death
is greatly lamented by his acquaintances. Among the number
wounded are Colonel John Lamb (of artUlery), Amah Bradley,
80 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
and Timothy Gorliam, volunteers from New Haven, though not
mortally.
" The enemy's loss is judged to be more than double our num-
ber, and about twenty prisoners. The enemy on this occasion
behaved with their usual barbarity, wantonly and cruelly mur-
dering the wounded prisoners who fell into their hands, and
plundering the inhabitants, burning and destroying everything
in their way. The enemy, the day before they left Fairfield,
were joined by ten sail, chiefly small sail."
In the March number (1888) of the Magazine of American
History, Clifford Bartlett gives a very interesting account of the
American side of the conflict in Ridgefield. He says :
" On arriving at Ridgefield, Arnold constructed a barricade
across the village street, at its upper end, near the residence of
Benjamin Stebbins. The Stebbins house is one of the oldest in
the town. It antedates anything of the Revolution in Ridge-
field. Here it was that Arnold awaited the enemy's approach,
fearless and undaunted, although the odds against him were
overwhelming.
" The barricade was made of logs, wagons, and carts, anything
the little army could gather for that purpose. The greater part
of those who stood behind that barricade were unused to war,
and had gone out to save their homes from destruction rather
than to do battle with an enemy.
" It was Sunday morning. A thick mass of vapor hung over
the earth, with an occasional shower, until about eleven o'clock,
when the sky lightened for a moment, revealing the wooded
slopes of the Danbury hUls, blue and purple in the distance,
only again to be hidden by the sweeping masses of clouds.
" When within a few miles of Ridgefield General Wooster fell
upon the rear of the column, and a sharp engagement ensued,
in which forty Hessians were captured. Still the enemy con-
tinued their advance."
The writer speaks briefly of Wooster' s second attack, when he
received the fatal wound, and then continues :
" Stephen Rowe Bradley, then an aide-de-camp to General
Wooster, assumed command, and gathering the scattered troops
together retired from the field in good order.
" Arnold and his men awaited the coming storm with breath-
less anxiety. At about noon the British, advancing in tlu-ee
columns, came within range, when General Agnew ordered the
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 81
artillery to attack. When within musket range the engagement
became general. Being unable to dislodge the Continental at
the front, a strong body of Hessians under Agnew finally turned
the left of Arnold's position. A column of infantry suddenly
appeared over the ledge of rocks, and discharged a volley at
General Arnold at a distance of not over thirty yards. He
escaped being hit ; his horse fell, being pierced by nine musket
balls. The fact that the horse was struck nine times was vouched
for by a farmer, who with the aid of some boys skinned the
animal the next day.
" The fight at the Stebbins house was stubborn and bloody.
Between forty and fifty Americans were killed.
" Colonel Abram Gould was shot about eighty yards east of
the Stebbins house, and his body was carried on his horse to his
home in Fairfield, where he was buried. His sash and uniform
are now in the Trumbull Gallery in New Haven.
" Lieutenants Middlebrook* and William Thompson were
* From a tablet in the Long Hill Burying-place at Trumbull, Conn.:
"in memory of
Lieut. Ephraim Middlebrook,
Who fought, bled, and died in defence of his
Country, at the Battle of Ridgefield, on
the 27th day of April, 1777, in the
41st year of his age ; and on
the 3d day of May was .In-
terred .here with the
Honors of War.
" Here on this Tomb cast an eye,
and view the Eagle great :
He represents our Liberty,
the Union of the States :
View in his claws the arrows sharpe,
the branch of oak likewise :]
A lively emblem of our smart,
for victory o'er our enemies :
For which cause this Hero bled
on Ridgefield's bloody plain :
And there was numbered with the dead
his country's freedom to obtain :]
In memory of which these lines were wrote
and to perpetuate his name :
That his descendants ne'er forgot
that for their freedom he was slain."
— Orcuit's History of Stratford.
82 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
killed. Several of the dead were buried beneath an apple-tree,
since decayed, back of the house, now the residence of Abner
Gilbert. At the time of the battle Benjamin Stebbins occupied
the Stebbins house. His son, Josiah, sympathized with the
Royalist cause, and happened to accompany the British on their
march from Daubury. Several times during the fight the house
caught fire, but the son succeeded in quenching the flames. His
crippled father had a narrow escape. In the midst of the con-
flict he sought seclusion in a little bedroom with a window look-
ing out on the meadow to the east, as the bullets were rattling
through the gable end of the old homestead on the roadway.
The window was open. All at once a bullet whizzed close to his
head and ripped a long, ragged hole through the bedroom door.
The room still remains in the same condition, and the door still
swings on its rusty hinges. The house was riddled with bullets,
and struck several times by solid shot. There are three cannon-
balls yet to be seen at the house. Many others have been lost
or carried away.
" During the battle the house was used as a hospital for the
wounded, and stains of blood that flowed from the wounds of a
young British officer, who died there, are to be seen on the sea-
soned oak floor of the long west room.
" The old well now stands as it then stood, and supplies the
best of water, as it did on that April day to the suffering men
who lay in agony within reach of its kindly aid.
" It has been thought that the battle ended with the attack
by Wooster and the fight at the Stebbins house. This is prob-
ably incorrect. There are strong reasons for the belief that as
the British advanced their progress through the town was con-
tested with stubborn bravery. Had this not been so, they would
not have had to employ their artillery after dislodging the
patriots from behind the barricade ; and that the artillery was
used throughout their progress through the village is beyond
controversy.
" Besides the cannon-balls at the Stebbins house, a solid shot
was unearthed a few years ago while repairing the highway in
front of the residence of Governor Lounsbury. Then there is
the famous shot embedded in the Keeler tavern, besides numer-
ous cannon-balls which have been found at different points along
the course of the march maintained through the town, the red-
coats pressing forward and the patriots falling stubbornly back.
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 83
On the ridge, where in late years the Agricultural Society held
its annual fairs, the British encamped for the night. After
burning several houses and destroying other property, the enemy,
on the morning of the 28th, resumed their march toward the
Sound."
In the London Gazette of June 7th, 1777, was printed Sir
William Howe's official report of the foray. He says (the italics
closing the first paragraph are ours) :
" The troops landed on the afternoon of April 25th (Friday),
four miles to the eastward of Norwalk and twenty miles from
Danbury. In the afternoon of the 26th the detachment reached
Danbury, meeting only small parties of the enemy on their
march, but General Tryon having intelligence that the whole
force of the country was collecting, to take every advantage of
the strong ground he was to pass on his return to the shipping,
and finding it impossible to procure carriages to bring oft" any
part of the stores, they were effectually destroyed, in the execu-
tion of which the tiillage was unavoidably burnt.
" On the 27th, in the morning, the troops gutted Danbury,
and met with little oi^position until they came near to Ridge-
field, which was occupied by General Arnold, who had thrown
up entrenchments to dispute the passage, while General Wooster
hung upon the rear with a separate corps. The village was
forced and the enemy driven back on all sides.
" General Tryon lay that night at Ridgefield and renewed his
march on the morning of the 28th. The enemy having been
reinforced with troops and cannon, disputed every advantageous
situation, keeping at the same time small parties to harass the
rear, until the general had formed his detachment upon a height
within cannon-shot of the shipping, when the enemy advancing,
seemingly with an intention to attack him, he ordered the troops
to charge with their bayonets, which was executed with such im-
petuosity that the rebels were totally put to flight, and the de-
tachment embarked without further molestation.
" The enclosed returns set forth the loss sustained by the king's
troops, and that of the enemy from the best information .
" Return of the stores, ordnance, provisions, etc., found at
the rebeW stores, and destroyed by the 'king' s troops, in Ban-
bury :
" A quantity of ordnance stores, with iron, etc.; 4000 barrels
84 HISTORY OF DANBUEY.
of beef and pork ; 1000 barrels of flour ; 100 large tierces of bis-
cuit ; 89 barrels of rice ; 120 puncheons of rum ; several large
stores of wheat, oats, and Indian corn, in bulk, the quantity
thereof could not possibly be ascertained ; 30 pipes of wine ;
100 hogsheads of sugar ; 50 ditto of molasses ; 20 casks of coffee ;
15 large casks filled with medicines of all kinds ; 10 barrels of
saltpetre ; 1020 tents and marquees ; a number of iron boilers ;
a large quantity of hospital bedding ; engineers', pioneers', and
carpenters' tools; a printing-press complete; tar, tallow, etc.;
6000 pairs of shoes and stockings. At a mill between Ridgebury
and Ridgefield, 100 ban-els of flour and a quantity of Indian
corn.
" Returned of the killed, wounded, and missing : One drum-
mer and fifer, and 23 rank and file killed ; 3 field officers, 6 cap-
tains, 3 subalterns, 9 sergeants, 92 i-ank and file wounded ; 1
drummer and fifer and 27 rank and file missing. Royal artillery,
2 additional killed, 3 matrosses and 1 wheeler wounded, and 1
matross missing.
" Return of the rebels killed and wounded. Killed : General
Wooster, Colonel Goold, Colonel Lamb, of the artillery. Colonel
Henman, Dr. Atwater, a man of considerable influence. Captain
Cooe, Lieutenant Thompson, 100 privates. Wounded : Colonel
Whiting, Captain Benjamin, Lieutenant Cooe, 250 privates.
Taken : Fifty privates, including several committeemen."
General David WootrTER.
CHAPTER XVI.
GENERAL WOOSTER'S DEATH.
Poor Wooster ! He little realized when lie started for our
insignificant hamlet that it would become his everlasting home
so far as this world is concerned, and that here the only substan-
tial honor he should ever receive would be given.
In the Dibble mansion, where Tryon but a few hours before
had had his headquarters, the unfortunate general was placed.
A local surgeon dressed the wound as well as he was able, and
shortly after a more experienced man came from New Haven to
attend him.
The bullet, which is said to have been fired by a Tory, entered
his back obliquely, just as he turned to wave on his men, and
cutting the spinal cord, was buried in his'stomacli. The nature
of the wound precluded recovery even had he received the best
skill on the moment.
His wife arrived from New Haven, but a delirium had seized
him, and he did not recognize her.
For three days he lay in the old South Street house, suffering
untold agony, and then he fell into a stupor. This was Thurs-
day morning of that eventful week.
" It was noted by her, who, faithful to the last, unremittingly
watched his pillow, that during this and the following day (as
is frequently the case in the closing scene of an active life) his
mind was busied in exciting reminiscence. By the feeble light
of flickering reason he was tracing the long and weary pilgrim-
age, the cruises, sieges, battles, marches through which he had
passed, only to reach his grave. The home of his childhood,
the cabin of his sliip, the old mansion by the Sound, pass in a
blended image before his fading vision. The dash of waves, the
rattle of musketry, the roar of cannon, ring confusedly in his
deafened ear. His hand cannot respond to the gentle pressure
of affection. His breathing grows shorter and shorter, while the
icy chill advances nearer and nearer to the heart. As his wife
wipes the death damp from his brow, his eyes, hitherto closed,
86 HISTORY OF DANBUKY.
open once more, and in tlieir clear depths, for one glad moment,
she discovers the dear, the old, the familiar expression of re-
turned consciousness ; his lips gasp in vain to utter one precious
word of final adieu, and the last e£fort is to throw on her one
farewell glance of unutterable tenderness and love."*
On Friday, May 2d, 1777, he died. On Sunday the funeral
was held. It was a quiet affair, although the body was that of
a major-general and of a soldier who for courage and patriotism
had no superior. But Danbury was sorely afflicted. Many of
the houses were in ruins, and nearly all the able-bodied men
were away.
Miss Betty Porter, aged sixteen, daughter of one of the men
killed and burned in Major Starr's hoixse, and subsequently the
wife of Caijtain Nathaniel Gregory, grandfather of our Colonel
Gregory, was at the funeral. She says there were but six men
present, and they bore the body to its resting-place.
The remains were buried in the graveyard on Wooster Street.
General David Wooster was born in Stratford, on March 2d,
1710 ; so he was really what might have been called an old man
when he came to Danlsury to fight the enemy, being in his sixty-
eighth year, but there was no lack of the fire of youth in his
movements, and it has always been the impression among our
people that he was twenty years younger.
He graduated at Yale in 1738. In 1739 he entered the navy,
was made a lieutenant, and was later promoted to be captain.
In 1740 he married the daughter of Rev. Thomas Clapp, then
president of Yale College. She became a woman eminent for
her piety and for social graces.
In 1745 he served as captain in the Louisburg expedition, and
in the same year he sailed to Europe in command of a cartel
ship. He was accorded special honors in England. He was
first a colonel and afterward a brigadier-general in the Seven
Years' War. When trouble brewed between Great Britain and
the colonies he took up the cause of the latter, and was one of
those who conspired to capture Port Ticonderoga in 1775. When
the Continental Ai-my was organized he received the appoint-
ment of brigadier-general. He served in Canada, at one time as
commander of the Continental forces. Later he returned to Con-
* Heniy C. Deming's oration at the dedication of Wooster's Monument, 1854.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 87
necticut, where he was appointed first major-general of the State
militia. It was in this capacity he came to Danbury.
On April 27th, 1852, the remains of the hero were taken from
the Wooster Street burial-ground, and deposited in VVooster
Cemetery, beneath the imposing monument there placed to his
memory.
A BIT OF WOOSTER GENEALOGY.
Edward Wooster, bom in England in 1622, settled in Milford,
Conn., about 1642, and was in Derby, Conn., in 1654. Of his
first wife nothing is known. His second wife was Tabitha,
daughter of Henry and Alice Tomlinson, whom he married in
1669. He died July 8th, 1680, and his estate was divided among
twelve children in 1694.
Abraham, his second son and fourth child, married November
22d, 1699, Mercy, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth {nee
Wheeler, and widow of Samuel Blakeman) Walker, and settled
at Farmill River, in Stratford, remaining there until about 1719,
when the family removed to Quaker Farm, in Derby, now
Oxford, Conn.
David Wooster, the youngest child of Abraham and Elizabeth
Wooster, was born March 2d, 1710-11 ; graduated at Yale Col-
lege in 1738, and married on March 6th, 1746, Mary, daughter
of Thomas Clapp, president of Yale College. The children of
this marriage were Mary, born January 21st, 1747 ; died October
20th, 1748. Thomas, born July 30th, 1751. Mary, born June
2d, 1753.
CHAPTER XVII.
AFTER THE FIRE.
The firing of our people upon the British with the return fire
of the enemy marked as distinctly as sight could have done to
the refugees the progress of the march. Besides, there were
messengers, in the person of boys, who kept track of the course
and reported hourly. Long before the royal column passed
Ridgebury church the people who had fled began to return to
the village, some to undisturbed homes, others to smoking ruins.
Before night the most of them were here, although it was not
until the next day that all had returned.
With the returning Danburians came a host of sightseers from
Redding, Bethel Village, Brookfield, Newtown, New Fairfield,
and other places. It was a great spectacle for outsiders, and
they flocked here just as people do to the scene of an overwhelm-
ing disaster.
All that Sunday afternoon Main Street and South were full
of people viewing the ruins, sympathizing with the sufferers,
cursing the enemy, and delivering oi^inions of reckless wisdom,
as is common with the dear masses in matters they know nothing
of. One of these visitors used to relate that the wheels of his
wagon sank above their felloes in the cold grease on South
Street, which came from the burnt pork. There were three tav-
erns here at the time, and the business they might have done,
had they the liquid facilities, would have been immense.
Dr. Jabez Starr, grandfather of Frederick StaiT, kept one of
the taverns. His place stood on the corner of Main and Elm
streets, near where is now the Neios building. On the approach
of the enemy he moved his goods out of town and harm's way.
The house now occupied by Nathaniel Barnum, a few doors
south of the News office, was a tavern at that time. On a sign
swinging from a post it bore a copy of the arms of King George
IV., which gave the tavern its name. It was kept by John Trow-
HISTORY OF DANBUEY. 89
bridge, who was Mr. Barnum's great-grandfather. Owing to its
sign it was saved from destruction, but its furniture was piled
up in the street and burned. Mr. Barnum has completely
changed the outside appearance of the building, so that to-day
it looks but little like it was at that time. Mr. Trowbridge was
a lieutenant in the rebel army. He was away with his regiment
at the time. His people removed themselves and what furniture
they could get together to Nathan Corn wail's tavern in Beaver
Brook District. The royal troops did not interfere with the
property, but the destruction of the furniture was the work of
Tory neighbors.
The old house on South Street, at the very foot of Main Street,
is a long, high-roofed building, with great stone chimneys of a
Revolutionary pattern thrust through its antique roof.
It is said that when the British visited Danbury in 1777 some
of the soldiers quartered at this house, and saved it from the
flames, because a boy in the family provided them with cider.
We do not know what degree of hardness the cider of that time
had assumed in April, but it must have been quite satisfactory
to the minions of King George. This tradition, however, is
devoid of that substantiality which we all like to see bracing up
facts.
Farther west on this street was the residence of Major Taylor.
When the British came to Danbury his ox-team was engaged in
drawing stores to the American troops under Arnold. He had
one horse, smooth shod, and a cart. As soon as he heard that
the enemy were approaching he hurried home to get his family
and what supply of produce he co^^ld out of the range of the
depredators.
One of the members of his family was an invalid. She was
placed on a feather-bed in the cart. After putting his wife and
what supplies he could hastily get together in the same vehicle,
he looked about in vain for his daughter, who was then deeply
engaged with some children of her own age in making mud-pies
on the lower part of South Street. Major Taylor succeeded in
finding her before a start was made, and took her with him on
the cart, which he drove to Brookfield. This small girl who
was making mud-pies in South Street in the spring of 1777 after-
ward became the wife of Edward Wilcox, and the mother of Mrs.
George W. Ives of this town.
90 HISTORY OF BANBURY.
When the excitement was over Major Taylor returned to Dan-
bury, built the house called the Martin Clark place, and used it
as a tavern. Ten years later Mr. Taylor put iip a guide-stone in
front of his place, which still remains and contains the following
information :
" 67 MILES to H.
68 to N Y.
This Stone erected
by Mr. M Taylor
1787."
The building is two-storied, with a tremendous garret. The
dining-room was then used as the reception-room, with the small
bar of those days opening off from it. A part of the second
floor was used as a ball-room. Three stone chimneys pierce the
roof. One of these at the base is eight by eleven feet, and five
feet square in the garret. The others are nearly as large.
There were two Matthew Benedicts, father and son, who figure
in the list of losers. The latter, who was grandfather of the
late Henry Benedict, lived where is now the homestead of Mrs.
Henry Benedict. It is said that he owned a small hat shop,
which was burned by the British, although Francis's " History
of Hatting' ' says hatting was begun in Danbury in 1780, or three
years later than the advent of the British. The senior Matthew
lived with Jonah, another son. The junior's estate included
what is now a part of the foot of West Street, long known as the
Concert Hall property, which was given by the family to the first
church society. We have not been able to locate the residence of
either Jonah or Zadock Benedict, who were brothers of Matthew,
Jr. The former is said to have lived at the lower end of Main
Street. Still another brother was Noble Benedict, who raised a
company of one hundred men at the beginning of the war. He
was captured in November, 1776, at Fort Washington. Nathan
was captured in the Danbury fight, and taken to the Sugar House
prison. Jonah was in his brother's company at Fort Washing-
ton, and was captured there.
Joseph Wildman lived where stands the residence of the late
Hon. F. S. Wildman, on West Street, near Main. In the award
of land to the sufferers he received fourteen hundred acres in
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 91
Ohio. So little did he value it that he sold it in exchange for a
horse.
A part of the flourishing city of Sandusky is on that land, and
is now worth millions of dollars. The singular sale was made
with tlie right of redemption within thirty years. About a year
or so after the expiration of that time, and when the projjerty
began to be quite valuable, Joseph's heirs unfortunately discov-
ered this clause in the deed.
Perhaps the most serious loss Danbury sustained in the fire
were its town records. The books of the probate office were
saved. Had the former been equally fortunate much valuable
matter could have easily been added to these papers from the
treasure.
This list of sufl'erers with the amounts of losses we herewith
give, as awarded by the first-named committee, mentioned In
the report following from Hinman's history : Mr. John McLean,
$12,462.64 ; Captain Ezra Starr, $11,480 ; Captain Daniel Taylor,
$4932; Colonel Jos. P. Cooke, $4767.50; Major Eli Mygatt,
$580.30 ; Captain James Clark, $4112.62 ; Major Taylor, $3504 ;
Comfort Hoyt, Jr., $3258.77 ; Thaddeus Benedict, Esq., $2610 ;
Benjamin Sperry, $849 ; David Wood, $2165.24 ; Joseph Wild-
man, $2087; Dr. John Wood, $1970.80; Matthew Benedict,
$1672.50 ; Kev. Ebenezer White, $1637.60 ; Jonah Benedict,
$1547.50 ; Matthew Benedict, $1026.16 ; Jabez Rockwell, $1189 ;
Zadock Benedict, $849.25.
The total loss as thus determined by the committee amounted
to nearly $81,000.
Immediately after the disaster the selectmen were instructed
to present a petition to the Legislature for the relief of the suf-
ferers. Hinman, in his " War of the American Revolution,"
says :
" John McLean, Eli Mygatt, and others, selectmen of Dan-
bury, stated to the General Assembly, convened at Hartford on
May 8th, 1777, that the enemy, in their incursion into Danbury,
burned and destroyed the public records of said town, and they
apprehended great damage might arise to the inhabitants unless
some timely remedy should be provided. The Assembly ap-
pointed Daniel Sherman, Colonel Nehemiah Beardsley, Increase
Moseley, Lemuel Sanford, Colonel S. Canfield, and Caleb Bald-
win to repair to Danbury as soon as might be, and notify the
92 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
inhabitants of said town, and by all lawfnl ways inquire into
and ascertain every man' s right, and report to the next General
Assembly.
"This committee reported to the Assembly that the British
troops had made a hostile invasion into said town, and under a
pretence of destroying the public stores, had consumed with fire
about twenty dwelling-houses, with many stores, barns, and
other buildings, and that the enemy on their retreat collected
and drove off all the live stock — viz., cattle, horses, and sheep —
which they could find ; and that the destruction of said property
had reduced many of the wealthy inhabitants to poverty. Hav-
ing notified the inhabitants, they from day to day examined the
losses of each sufferer, on oath and by other evidence, and
allowed to each his damage at the time said property was de-
stroyed ; they found that by reason of the price of articles, the
inhabitants had been obliged to pay large sums over and above
the value in procuring the necessaries for their families ; that
many of them had their teams forced from them to remove the
public stores, etc. They gave the name of each sufferer, with
his loss allowed, annexed to his name, which amounted to the
sum of £16,181 Is. 4d., which report was accepted by the Assem-
bly and ordered to be lodged on file, to perpetuate the evidence
of the loss of each person, that when Congress should order a
compensation, to make out the claims of sufferers.
" On the receipt of this communication the pay-table were
directed to draw an order on the treasurer for the sum of £500
in favor of the selectmen of Danbury, as aforesaid, who could
not subsist without such relief.
" In 1787 the sufferers in Danbury having received no further
relief, again petitioned the General Assembly of Connecticut,
upon which petition Hon. Andrew Adams and others were ap-
pointed a committee.
" The chaii'man of said committee reported that for want of
exhibits and documents they were unable methodically and cor-
rectly to state the facts or losses and estimate the damages ; and
also for the want of proper certificates from the Treasurer and
Secretary of State, to report what had already been done for
their relief ; but were of opinion that the houses and buildings
and necessary household furniture, destroyed by the enemy,
ought to be paid for by the State, at their just value ; and that
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 93
the only manner in the power of the State, at that time, was to
pay the same in Wesie7'n lands, which report was in October,
1787, accepted by the House, but rejected by the U^^per House."
In 1792 the General Assembly made the award of land. This
territory is in Ohio, and has since been known as the Western
Reserve.
The following named are the prisoners taken from Danbury at
the time of the raid : John Bartram, Nathan Benedict, Benja-
min Sperry, John Porter, Jonathan Starr, William Roberts,
Jacob Gray, and Aaron Gray Knapp.
CHAPTER Xyill.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION.
A VOLUME entitled " The War of the American Revolution"
furnishes some incidents of interest to Danbury — in fact, Dan-
bury largely figures in the book, which was compiled in 1841 by
Royal R. Hinman, who was then Secretary of State. The matter
pertaining to Danbury was furnished by Reuben Booth, grand-
father of Attorney John R. Booth, of this city.
We learn from this book that Danbury' s grand list in 1775, at
the beginning of the Revolution, was $142,507.66.
In May, 1777, the month following the burning. Governor
Trumbull issued, at the suggestion of the General Assembly, a
proclamation. The document is a sorry confession of man's in-
humanity to man, especially to his neighbor. It appears from
this paper that a lot of shiftless and mercenary wretches took
advantage of the appearance of the enemy here to burn the
houses and steal the portable property of Danburians and others
who escaped the raid of the British. The proclamation calls
upon these graceless offenders to immediately restore such prop-
erty and make good such losses, or suffer the severe penalties of
the law.
In the recoi'd of the General Assembly, May session, 1777,
there are the following interesting entries :
" Thaddeus Benedict, of Danbury, represented to the Assem-
bly that the British troops, when in Danbury, burned his dwell-
ing-house and several other houses kept for public entertain-
ment ; and stated that he had provided a convenient house in
the centre of said town, and asked for a license to keep a public-
house, which was granted by said Assembly.
" Mary Hoyt, the wife of Isaac Hoyt, then late of Danbury,
showed to the Assembly that she had ever been a good Whig
and a true friend to the rights of her country, and that her hus-
band, when the enemy entered said Danbury, being an enemy
HISTORY OF DANBITRY. 95
to his country, went off and joined the British, by which he had
justly forfeited all his estate, both real and personal ; and that
the selectmen had seized upon all the personal estate of her hus-
band, by means of which she was deprived of the necessaries of
life, and asked the Assembly to order that one-third part of all
the clear, movable estate should be given to her, and the use of
one-third part of all the real estate, for her natural life, for her
support. The Assembly ordered that said Mary Hoyt should
have and enjoy one-third part of the personal and real estate
during the pleasure of the Assembly."
" Ruth Peck, the widow of Jesse Peck (then), late of Danbury,
stated to the General Assembly that her husband, with three
sons, in the spring of 1776, enlisted in the service of the State,
and all went through the fatigue of the campaign. Two of the
sons were taken prisoners at Fort Washington, and suffered the
hardships of captivity in New York. One son had the small-
pox in the worst manner possible, in the most scarce time of
gold, the (then) last winter at New York, who started for home
and froze his feet, so that he became a cripple ; another son was
sent home by the British about January 1st, 1777, infected with
the small-pox, of which he soon died after his arrival. The hus-
band, who had arrived home a short time previous to his son,
took the disease, and also died after a long confinement. One
other son also took said disease, who by the goodness of God
recovered, whereby said Ruth was grievously afflicted, and the
town of Danbury expended the sum of £26 12s. 6d. in their sick-
ness, and held a claim upon the small estate her husband had left
for the payment of it, and if paid by her, would leave her with
a family of small children and needy indeed ; and prayed the
Assembly to pay the sum aforesaid."
At an adjourned session of the same body in February, 1778,
occurred the following :
" John Marsh, of Danbury, stated to the Assembly that when
the British troops went into Danbury he through surprise joined
them and went away with them, but soon made his escape and
returned home, and was committed to jail, and prayed pardon
for the offence, which was granted him, by his taking the oath
of fidelity and paying the cost of prosecution."
In the January (1778) session were given the following depo-
sitions regarding the negro who was killed in Major Starr's
96 HISTORY OF BANBURY.
house, and who, we should judge, was a slave, whose owner was
seeking remuneration. Here are the entries :
" Ebenezer White, of Danbury, of lawful age, testifies and
says, that on or about the 26th day of April, 1777, at evening,
there being a number of gentlemen at his house belonging to the
British Army, among which was one whom he understood was the
Earl of Falkland's son, who told him (the deponent) that he was
the first that entered Major Starr's house, and found a number
of men in the house, among whom were two negroes, all of whom
they instantly killed, and set fire to the house ; and gave this
for a reason why they did so, that it was their constant practice,
where they found people shut up in a house and firing upon
them, to kill them, and to burn the house ; and further the de-
ponent saith, that the said young gentleman told him that one
of the negroes, after he had run him through, rose up and
attempted to shoot him, and that he, the said Earl of Falkland's
son, cut his head off himself ; which negro the deponent under-
stood .since was the property of Mr. Samixel Smith, of Reading ;
and further the deponent saith not.
" Danbury, January 26th, 1778.
"The Rev. Mr. Ebenezer White, the deponent, personally
appearing, made oath to the truth of the above written depo-
sition.
" Sworn to before me, Thaddeus Benedict, Justice of the Peace.
" Ebenezer Weed, of Danbury, of lawful age, testifies and says,
that on or about the 26th day of Aj^ril, 1777, he being at home
across the road opposite to Major Daniel Starr's house, he saw a
negro at the house, which he knew to be the property of Mr.
Samuel Smith, of Reading, about a haK hour, as near as he can
judge, before the British troops came to said house ; and further
the deponent saith, that in the evening of said day, he heard a
man belonging to the British Army say that they had killed one
dam'd black with the whites, in said Starr's house ; and further
the deponent saith not.
" Danbury, January 26th, 1778.
" Sworn before Thaddeus Benedict, Justice of the Peace.
" Anna Weed, of Danbury, of lawful age, testifies and says,
that on or about the 26th day of April, 1777, she being at home
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 97
across the road opposite to Major Starr's house, she saw a negro
at said house, which she understood was the property of Mr.
Samuel Smith, of Reading, but a short time before the British
troops came up to the house ; and further the deponent saith
she heard one of the British soldiers say, ' Here is a dam'd black
in the house ; what shall we do with him V Another answered,
' Damn him, kill him,' and immediately the house was in
flames ; and further the deponent saith not.
" Danbury, January 26th, 1778.
" Sworn to before Thaddeus Benedict, Justice of the Peace."
In the March (1778) session of the Assembly occurs the fol-
lowing :
" Hannah Church, of Danbury, the wife of Asa Church (then),
late of said Danbury, showed the Governor and Council that
her husband had joined the British Army, and was then in New
York, and that she had no estate to support her ; and prayed
for liberty to go to New York to her husband. The Governor
and Council gave her liberty to go to New York, with such
necessary apparel as the Committee of Inspection of said Dan-
bury shall think jtroper ; and General Silliman was directed to
grant a flag or passport to the said Hannah accordingly."
It appears from an item in the report of the General Assembly
that an attack on Danbury was anticipated several weeks before
from the Hudson River direction. Two weeks before the attack
the Governor sent a letter to General Silliman, instructing him
to keep a strict watch upon the enemy, who were preparing in
New York to go up the North River, with a view, undoubtedly,
to destroy the stores at Danbury. On the night of the 27th the
General Assembly received word that there were alarming symp-
toms from the North River, and almost immediately after that
Danbury was burned.
CHAPTEK XIX.
SOME INCIDENTS OF THE RAID.
John McLean was commissary of the Continental troops in
that vicinity, and the object of the visit of the enemy to Danbnry
was to destroy the army provisions which he had accumulated
in his store and in the Episcopal church, which was then unfin-
ished. They would not burn the church, but rolled the barrels
of flour and pork into South Street, and burned them and the
buildings.
Mr. McLean had sent off all his working teams toward West
Point with supplies, and had nothing at home but a pair of fat-
ting oxen and a saddle horse. Upon the alarm of the enemy's
approach the oxen were put before a cart with a feather-bed in
it, upon which his wife and children proceeded to New Milford,
while he remained burying and putting in safety such of his
property as he could conceal, until the British appeared over
Coalpit Hill. They saw and pursued him, calling out, " Old
Daddy," " Rebel," etc., and firing after him when the fleetness
of his horse seemed likely to carry him out of their reach. Some
of the bullets passed through his coat and hat, but he escaped
uninjured, joining his family in New Milford, whence they re-
moved to a farm which he owned in Stony Hill, and remained
until the close of the war. They then returned to Danbury and
built the house now standing near the foot of Main Street.
We mentioned in a previous paper the death of a young man
named Barnum, in the Sugar House prison in New York. His
father, Colonel Joseph Barnum, was seriously affected by the
deplorable fate of his boy, and became so full of the spirit of
vengeance, that on the next day after getting the news he loaded
his gun and started out to avenge himself on sympathizers with
the British. Seeing a Tory at work in a field the half -crazed
father fired at him, wounding him severely. "He had pre-
viously been a professedly pious man, but frequently after the
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 99
loss of his son concluded his devotions in his family by invoking
a curse upon ' old King George and his hellish crew.' "
Several writers say that Nehemiah Dibble, who occupied the
old mansion which entertained General Tryon, and received the
dying breath of Wooster, did not escape punishment for his Tory
sympathies. They tell that shortly after the retreat of the Brit-
ish, a number of young men took hold upon Dibble, and carry-
ing him to Still River, near where is now the railroad, immersed
him several times in the water, giving him what they called a
" thorough ducking."
Samuel Morris was an army teamster. He was employed in
drawing the army stores from New Haven to Danbury. His-
brother, Jacquin, was not equally eminent for patriotism — in
fact, Jacquin took advantage of the presence of the British
Army to join its ranks. He went away with them, and served
through the war. Shortly after that he returned to Danbury on
a visit to his mother, who was living in Beaver Brook Districts
He did not come back with any ostentation, you may be sure.
The first intimation of his presence was given to a little niece,
who in crossing the bridge over Still River, near her grand-
mother's house (and where is now the grist-mill), was startled
by the appearance of a man's head from under the bridge. The
man learning who she was told her to call her father. She did
so, and then the stranger revealed that he was Jacquin Morris,
the deserting Danbiirian. He was not immediately recognized
by the brother, having changed considerably, but on uncovering
his head, a bare spot on his scalp, well known to the family, was
found, and he was received. He was obliged to keep himself
secluded, and during his stay was secreted in the garret of his
mother's house. Some years later he made a second visit home,
but did not remain long.
As an offset to this loss Danbury gained three citizens, and,
so far as we can learn, they were good citizens, in the persons of
three deserters from the British Army. One of these was a fifer,
whose name was Hany Brocton. The others were privates.
Thomas Flynn was the name of one of the latter. His compan-
ion's name is not known to us at this writing. Brocton married
and lived on Town Hill Avenue. Flynn also married here. He
settled on South Street.
The father of the late Aaron B. Hull was seventeen years old-
100 HISTORY OF DANBORY.
when the British burned Danbury. He joined in the pursuit of
Tryon through Ridgefield, and was in all the fighting. In escap-
ing one of the dashes of the enemy, he found himself back of a
rock in company with two boys a trifle younger than himself,
who were having their first experience in battle. While waiting
thei'e, he discovered that a Tory was in a brake near by, watching
with ready gun for them to reappear. Putting his hat on the
end of his gun he piished it out beyond the rock. Immediately
the Tory fired, the bullet piercing the hat. The next instant he
plunged toward the rock, when the three boys fired simultane-
ously at him. At the discharge he sprang several feet in the air
and came down full length upon his face, but turned in a flash
upon his back, and lay there, motionless in death.
After the battle Mr. Hull's father went over the ground to
look for the body. He found it where it had fallen, but our
pure-minded, gentle-hearted forefathers had stripped it of every
stitch of clothing.
During tliis catastroj^he to Danbury there was an army hos-
pital in existence here. It was established the month before,
and was not touched by the British. The location was on what
is now called Park Avenue, at the junction of Pleasant Street.
All that property was then owned by Samuel Wildman, grand-
father of the late Samuel C. Wildman, who leased to the govern-
ment the land for the use of the hosjMtal. Mr. Wildman lived
then in the modernized house on the avenue, which stands on
■the east corner. There are several pear-trees in this garden
which were set out by Samuel Wildman over a hundred years
ago, and which now yield abundantly.
The soldiers who died at the hospital were buried in a plot of
ground on Pleasant Street, near the corner of Park Avenue.
This burial-place was held sacred by Mr. Wildman, who would
not have it ploughed. Some years after it was rented, and the
tenant, being either ignorant of its former use or extremelj^ prac-
tical in his views, turned up with his plough many bones and
some relics in metal.
The hosj)ital itself was a one-storied building with a large gar-
ret in its steep roof. The first floor was divided into four rooms ;
the garret was of one room. The building was torn down many
years ago by its owner.
The last Revolutionary soldier in Danbury was Captain
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 101
Nathaniel Gregory, who died April 12th, 1851, at the age of
ninety years. He was the grandfather of our fellow-citizen,
Colonel Samuel Gregory. He served in the army under Colonel
Shelton and Major Tallmadge, and was engaged at various places,
being present at Fair-field, Norwalk, and Horse Neck, and was
one of the number composing the life guard of General Putnam
on that day which terminated the life of Sir Nathan Palmer at
Peekskill. He served his country with zeal and fidelity in the
struggle for American independence, the benefits of which are
ours.
In the Danbury Times of May 4th, 1854, was printed the fol-
lowing :
" Revolutionary Soldiers. — There were 232,791 soldiers engaged
in the Revolutionary War. Of this number there are now less
than 1400 living, whose ages must average nearly ninety years.
Seventy-three have died during the past year. A few years
more and those venerable octogenarians will only be known in
the pages of history."
In its issue of August 25th, 1859, the Times prints this item :
" The following is a list of Revolutionary soldiers supposed to
be living, and pensioners on the roll of the State of Connecticiit,
with their ages in 1859 :
" David Bostwick, Litchfield County, 98 years ; John Brooks,
Fairfield County, 96 years ; Benjamin Cobb, Middlesex County,
98 years ; Jacob Hurd, Middlesex County, 97 years ; Nehemiah
W. Lyon, Fairfield County, 100 years ; William Williams, Litch-
field County, 97 years."
Despite the ill-luck of the invasion and burning, Danbury con-
tinued to be used as a depot for army stores, especially for the
provisioning of the army operating along the Hudson River.
At one time several brigades of American troops were en-
camped here, southeast of the village, on the ridge known as
Shelter Rock.
When the war ended and the French Army was on its return
from the North to the South, it passed through Danbury, which
was then on the line of a great thoroughfare. It was guided
through this section by David Pearce and his two sons, Aaron
and Joshua.
When the British came to Danbury a little red house stood on
the comer of West Street and Deer Hill Avenue, where is now
102 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
tlie residence of Mrs. Charles Hull. Ebenezer Benedict lived
there then. Several of the British officers made the house their
headquarters, and Mrs. Benedict cooked for them. The build-
ing subsequently changed hands several times and was as many
times rebuilt. There is some of its timber in the present struc-
ture. Mrs. Benedict became distinguished in after years by
marrying Andrew Beers, who made almanacs for the public and
love to the charming widow at the same time.
CHAPTEE XX.
A DANBURY SPY.*
Enoch Crosby, who is generally believed to have been the
original of " Harvey Birch," the hero of Cooper's famous novel,
" The Spy," was born in Harwich, Mass., on January 4th, 1750.
He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Crosby, who moved to
Putnam County, N. Y., when Enoch was three years old. About
1766 the family by misfortune were reduced from comfort to
poverty, and Enoch left home to depend upon his own exer-
tions for support, with a scanty outfit of clothes, a few shillings
in money, and a small Bible. He became apprentice to a shoe-
maker in Kent, and faithfully fulfilled his term of service, which
ended January 4th, 1771, his twenty-first birthday.
He was living in Danbury when the Eevolutionary War began,
enlisted as one of the first soldiers under Captain Benedict, and
went with his company to take part in the expedition against
Canada, under Generals Schiiyler and Montgomery. He re-
mained until the army were in jDossession of Montreal, when, his
term of enlistment having expired, he returned to Danbury and
betook himself again to shoemaking.
Crosby was well contented for a time to pursue his occupation.
He had seen hard service in the northern campaign and needed
rest. During the following summer, however, his patriotic feel-
ings began again to stir within him. The war was going on with
redoubled fury. The British had in several instances gained
the advantage.
* Most of this chapter is taken from a little volume published over fifty years
ago, entitled " Whig Against Tory ; or, The Military Adventures of a Shoemaker."
A tale of the Revolution, it is given in the form of a relation by General P to
his children. In 1855 another edition was brought out by Silas Andrews & Sou.
We are also indebted to " The Spy Unmasked ; or. Memoirs of Enoch Crosby, alias
Harvey Birch, the Hero of 'The Spy,' by James F. Cooper," by H. L. Barnum.
Also to the " History of Putnam County, New York," by William 8. Pelletreau,
A.M.
104 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
It was not in such a man as Enoch Crosby to seek ease or shun
danger in the hour of his country's trial. He saw others making
sacrifices — women as well as men, youth as well as age — and he
scorned to have it said that he could not make sacrifices as well
as others. His musket was therefore taken down, and fitting on
his knapsack, he took up his march toward the headquarters of
the American Army on the Hudson. At this time (September,
1776) the headquarters of the British Army were in the city of
New York. The American Army lay up the Hudson, fifty or
sixty miles, either at or near West Point.
Between the two armies, therefore, was the county of West-
chester, the centre of which, being occupied by neither, was called
the " neutral ground." But in reality it was far from being a
neutral spot, because it was here that a great number of Tories
resided, the worst enemies which the Americans had to contend
with. Many of this description of persons lived on the " neutral
ground," and, what was worse, they often pretended to be
Whigs, and passed for such, but in secret did all in their power
to injure their country.
Crosby had reached a part of this ground on his way to the
American camp. It was just at evening that he fell in with a
stranger, who appeared to be passing in the same direction with
himself.
"Good evening," said the stranger. "Which way are you
travelling — below ?"
Crosby replied that he was too much fatigued to go much
farther that evening, either above or below ; but he believed he
should join himself to a bed could he find one.
"Well," said the stranger, "listen to me. It will soon be
dark ; go with me. I live but a short distance from this. You
shall be welcome."
Crosby thanked him and said he would gladly accept his kind
invitation.
" Allow me to ask," said the soldier, " your advice as to the
part which a true friend of his country should take in these
times. "
" Do I understand you V inquired the stranger, his keen eye
settling on the steady countenance of Crosby — " do you wish to
know which party a real patriot should join V
"I do," said Crosby.
/
J^^S^
Ezra P. Hknekrt. Enoch Crosby, a Revolutionary Spy.
The "Harvy- Birch" of Cooper's Xove
Old Chest, Known to be Over 200 Years Old, was brought from England
B\' Ephraim Morris, who Died in 1792.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 105
" Well, you look like one to be trusted."
" I hope I am honest," replied Crosby.
" Why," observed the stranger, " one mustn't say much about
one's self in these days ; but — but some of my neighbors would
advise you to join the lower party."
" Why so f asked Crosby.
" Why, friend, they read that we must submit to the pow-
ers that be ; and, besides, they think King George is a good
friend to America, notwithstanding all that is said against
him."
" Could jon introduce me to some of your neighbors of this
way of thinking ?" asked Crosby.
" With all my heart," replied the stranger. "I understand
they are about forming a company to go below, and I pi'esume
they would be glad to have you join them. "
" I do not doubt it," observed Crosby.
" Well, friend," said the stranger, " say nothing. Rest your-
self to-night, and in the morning I will put you in the way to
join our — the company."
By this time they had reached the stranger's dwelling. It
was a farm-house, situated a short distance from the main road
— retired, but quite neat and comfortable in its appearance.
Here the soldier was made welcome by the host and his family.
After a refreshing supper Crosby excused himself, was soon
asleep, and " slept well."
The next morning Crosby reminded his host of the promise to
introduce him to the Tories, and the farmer took him about
among the neighbors, presenting him as one who felt favorably
disposed to joining the king's forces. The Tories talked freely
to him of their plans, one of which was the organization of a
company. The company was to hold a meeting in a few nights
for drill, and Crosby was urged to join them. He promised he
would think on the matter, but gave them to understand that
he would first go to New York, and might join the army there ;
but if possible he would meet with the company on the night
selected for the drill.
In leaving his host, Crosby started on the road to New York,
as a blind, but at a safe distance he struck off toward the river.
He had heard of a Mr. Young, living at a distance, and farther
down, although more toward the river, who was a strong Whig,
106 HISTORY OF DANBUKY.
and lie made for his place, to concert measures for the capture
of the Tory company.
It was late in the evening when Crosby reached Young's house,
but he found that party up. Crosby convinced him that he was
a " good rebel," and then told him what he had learned of the
Tory company. The Committee of Safety for the country had
headquarters at White Plains. One of the number was John
Jay, afterward Minister to England. It was Young' s suggestion
that the two proceed at once to White Plains with information,
and they did so, reaching Mr. Jay' s hoiise at two o' clock in the
morning. The committee acted promptly upon the information,
and plans were soon laid to capture the Tory company on the
night Crosby had learned they were to meet for drill. He volun-
teered to lead the force to the place. The night arrived, the plan
was put in operation, and resulted in a comj)lete success. It
was a dark night, and Crosby kept himself in the background,
so it is doubtful if any of the prisoners knew their betrayer,
although the farmer, who was among the number, had his sus-
picions.
After this success the Committee of Safety suggested to Crosby
that he adopt the role of spy, instead of going into the army.
The country was full of Tories operating secretly against the
Americans, and it was desirable to get the fullest information
of their movements. It was an extremely dangerous service,
but Crosby was full of patriotic valor, and he did not hesitate
to accept the proposition of the committee, merely stipulating
that if he fell full justice should be done his memory. This
they gladly promised.
The greatest secrecy was necessary, and he was instructed not
to reveal his principles to either party. If captured by the
Americans as belonging to the British, the committee would help
him to escape, but if there was no possible way to let them
know, then he could use a paper they gave him, but it must not
be used only in an extremity.
In a few days he started out, using a kit of shoemaker's tools
as an excuse for travelling. At night he knocked at a house,
and was admitted by a woman whose husband had not returned
from work. He solicited work, and she promised to hire him to
make a pair of shoes. On his arrival he said to her :
" Madam, have you heard the news ?"
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 107
" What news ?"
' ' Whj, that Washington is on the retreat, and that the British
Army is pursuing him, and likely to overtake him."
"Ah, that's good news!" exclaimed the old lady. "You
may stay here to-night. Sally ! Sally ! here, get this man some
supper. He brings good news. I hope the rebels, every one,
will be shot ! Sally, make up the best bed ! Here's a chair ;
sit down, sir, and make yourself at home."
Crosby accordingly took a seat. Supper was soon ready, and
he ate heartily. When he had done he drew his chair to the fire,
about which time the man of the house came in. He was told
the good news by his wife, and Crosby was made welcome.
The farmer asked Crosby if he did not want to join a company
of Tories to fight for King George, then being formed in the
neighborhood. Crosby said he would like to see them first.
The next morning he was presented to the captain, who showed
him the rendezvous of the company, which was ingeniously con-
cealed in a tremendous haystack in the captain's yard. The
captain invited Crosby to stay with him all night, and join the
company the next night at its meeting. Crosby accepted the
invitation. In the night he slipped out of the house and made
Ms way to White Plains, where he saw Mr. Jay and acquainted
him with what he had found out. A plan was immediately laid
to capture the company, and Crcsby returned to the captain's
house, reaching it and his bed before daylight, and without dis-
turbing the family.
The next night the company assembled at the captain' s house,
sixty-nine strong, and Crosby was presented to them. Shortly
after, while he was being urged to join them, a troop of Ameri-
cans descended upon the place and cajjtured every one of the
party, Crosby included. The prisoners were tied together in
couples and marched to White Plains. There they were exam-
ined singly by the Committee of Safety, and then marched to
Fishkill for confinement. The committee praised Crosby for his
action, but they could not discharge him, as that would excite
suspicion against him in the country. He was sent vidth the
others to Fishkill, but with the assurance that his escape would
be provided.
On the following morning the whole party were early on their
way up the river. On reaching Fort Montgomery, near Peek-
108 HISTORT OF DANBURT.
skill, a short halt was made, and here Crosby met with one of
the most trying incidents of his life.
On entering the fort, whom should he see before him but his
former schoolmaster, a worthy man who had often been at his
father's while teaching the village school in Southeast. And
well did that schoolmaster know the attachment of old Mr.
Crosby to American liberty, yet here was his son among a set
of Tories, and a prisoner.
The schoolmaster started back with a kind of horror, and even
Crosby was for a moment nearly overcome.
" Is this possible !" exclaimed the schoolmaster. " Do my
eyes deceive me ? Enoch Crosby, why do I see you thus V '
Crosby advanced, and taking his old friend by the hand, re-
plied, " You see me Just as I am, among Tories, and a prisoner ;
but I have no explanation to offer."
"No explanations!" uttered the other. "Are you then,
indeed, an enemy to your country ? Oh, your poor old father,
Enoch ! It will bring down his gray hairs with sorrow to the
grave when he hears of this."
For a moment Crobsy felt a faintness come over him. His
father ! He loved him, revered him, but he could not explain ;
it would not do. He, therefore, only replied that God was his
judge, and the time might come when things would appear other-
wise than they did.
The party at length reached Fishkill, and were conducted to
the old Dutch church, where they were confined and strictly
watched.
Within a few days the Committee of Safety arrived in the
village to examine the jjrisoners more closely. Crosby, in his
turn, was summoned to appear. But in respect to him the com-
mittee only consulted how he might escape. There were diffi-
culties in every plan they could think of. There was danger,
great danger, yet they could not appear to favor him, and their
advice to him was to run the hazard of an attempt by night in
the best way he could contrive ; and shoiild he be so fortunate
as to escape, he might find a safe retreat with a Mr. , who
lived at some distance.
A few nights later Crosby made the' attempt. He passed out
of a window and to the ground by the trunk of a tree, without
the giiard noticing him. From the tree he made his way among
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 109
the tomb-stones, and thence took a dash for liberty. This move
aroused the sentinels, who fired after him, but the darkness
sheltered him. In a few hours he came to Mr. 's house,
where he was hospitably received.
Mr. , to whose house Crosby fled on the night of his
escape, had instructions for him from the Committee of Safety.
These were that he should proceed that very night across the
river, and plan for the capture of a company of Tories that were
reported to be forming in that neighborhood. Before daylight
he had been put across the river, and by breakfast-time had
reached the scene of operations. He stopped at a farm-house,
and engaged himself to work for the farmer for two or three
days. He very soon gave the farmer to believe that he was of
Tory sympathy, and the confession struck a responsive feeling
in the breast of the farmer, who proved to be a rank Tory. He
suggested that his new help be enrolled in a company fomiing
in the neighborhood, and the new help was nothing loth. Crosby
soon ascertained that the rendezvous of the company was in a
cavern on a mountain, and got the promise of the farmer to take
him there and introduce him to the captain, who made his abode
in the cavern while the company was being raised. Agreeable
to this the farmer piloted Crosby to the place in the evening,
and left him all night with the captain. Crosby learned from
the officer that the company was to leave the following Wednes-
day, and was to stay Tuesday night in the barn of a farmer near
by. Crosby promised to be present, and the officer dismissed
him, putting his name on his roll. This was Saturday morning.
Crosby concluded to stay until the appointed time of march-
ing, but he must get word to the Committee of Safety imme-
diately.
At some distance from Farmer B 's Crosby had ascertained
there lived an honest old Whig, whom he determined to employ
to carry a letter to Mr. Jay, then at Fishkill. Accordingly,
having prepared a letter, he hastened on the setting in of even-
ing to fullil his purpose. In this he succeeded to his wishes,
and before the usual hour of rest had returned without exciting
the suspicion of any one. The important Tuesday evening at
length arrived, and brought together at the appointed place the
captain and about thirty Tories. Crosby was early on the spot,
and before eleven he was the only individual of the whole class
110 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
who was not quietly asleep. At length some one without was
heard by him to cough. This being the signal agreed upon,
Crosby coughed in return, and the next minute the barn was
filled with a body of Captain Townsend's celebrated rangers.
" Surrender !" exclaimed Townsend, in a tone which broiight
every Tory upon his feet. " Surrender, or by the life of Wash-
ington you'll not see daylight again."
It was in vain to resist, and the English officer delivered up
his sword.
" Call your muster roll," ordered Captain Townsend.
The Englishman did as directed, and at length came to the
name of Enoch Crosby. No one answered. Crosby had con-
cealed himself with the hope of escaping, but finding this impos-
sible he presented himself before Captain Townsend and Colonel
Duer, one of the Committee of Safety, who was present.
" Ah ! is it you, Crosby ?" asked Townsend. " You had light
heels at Fishkill, but my word for it, you will find them heavy
enough after this."
" Who is he V inquired Colonel Duer, as if he knew him not,
though he knew him well, yet not daring to recognize him.
" Who is he !" exclaimed Townsend. " Enoch Crosby, sir ;
like an eel, slipping out of one's fingers as water runs down hill,
but he'll not find it so easy a matter to escape again."
The party were soon on their way to Fishkill, where they
arrived in the course of an hour or two, and lodged their pris-
oners in the old Dutch church. Crosby was not thus fortunate.
Townsend's quarters were at some distance, and to these Crosby
was quite civilly invited to go, as the captain declared that he
wished to have him under his own eye. On his arrival Crosby
was placed in a room by himself, heavily ironed, and a trusty
guard detached to see that he came to "no harm," as the cap-
tain said. During the expedition, which had occupied some
twelve or fourteen hours, the company had fasted. Supper was
therefore prepared with some haste after the return of the ofiicer,
who on sitting down fairly gorged himself with food and wine.
About midnight Crosby was unexpectedly awakened by a gentle
shake. On opening his eyes, whom should he see before him
but a female who assisted in doing the work of the family.
"Here, Enoch Crosby," said she, "rise and follow me; say
nothing ; hold fast your chains."
HISTORY OF DANBURY. Ill
Crosby was not at first satisfied wlietlier it were a dream or a
reality, but quite willing to make his escape, lie rose as lie was
bid and followed her. As they passed from the room there lay
the sentinel extended at full length, dreaming of battles, it might
be, but certainly very quiet as to the safety of his prisoner,
having been drugged.
" They sleep well," said Crosby, on descending from the cham-
ber to the first floor, where he could hear the loud breathing of
the captain.
" I hope they'll sleep till morning," rejoined the girl. " Stay
a moment till I put the key of your door into the captain's
pocket."
" What !" asked Crosby, " does he keep the key himself ?"
" Yes, indeed," replied the girl. " He was determined that
you should play no more Yankee tricks, as he said, while under
his care."
" He must have thought me a man of some contrivance to take
such precaution."
" Oh," said the girl, "I've often heard him call you the — a
bad name, at least. He said he believed that you and the old
boy understood one another pretty well."
" I wonder what he'll think now ?" said Crosby.
The key being once more safely in the pocket of the captain,
the girl conducted Crosby out of the door, and pointing toward
a mountain lying to the west, now but just discernible, "Hast-
en thither," said she, " and lie concealed till the coming search
is over."
" But tell me," said Crosby, " before I go, how will you escape
suspicion ?"
"Oh," said the girl, laughing, "never fear for me. I shall
be out of harm's way before morning."
" One more question," said Crosby. " Who put it into your
heart to deliver me ?"
"Jay is your friend," said she, waving her head. "Fare-
well."
To Crosby the whole was now plain. With a light heart he
directed his course toward the mountain pointed out, and before
morning he was safely hid in some of its secret recesses.
When Townsend discovered the escape, with the door locked
and the key ia his own pocket, he was more confident than ever
112 HISTOKT OF DANBUBT.
that Crosby and the devil were in league ; and he declared that
he would hang him forthwith if he should catch him again.
For several days from this time Crosby wandered round the
country without any certain object. He greatly wished for an
interview with the Committee of Safety, but the attempt he
found would be hazardous until the troops in the immediate
neighborhood of Fishkill should be sent on some exiDedition at
a distance. Besides, he began to be known, to be siaspected ;
and the double and treble caution which he found it necessary
to exercise made his employment almost a burden. While
maturing some plan by which he could effect an interview with
the Committee of Safety, he called just at evening at a farm-
house and requested a night' s lodging. This was readily granted
him, and he laid aside his pack, thankful to find a resting-place
after the toils of the day. It was not long before two very large
men armed with muskets entered the house. One of them started
on seeing Crosby, and whispered something to his companion, to
which the latter apparently assented, then turning to Crosby,
said :
" I have seen you before, I think, sir."
"Probably," replied Crosby, "though I cannot say that I
recollect you."
" Perhaps not ; but I am sure you were not long since at Fish-
kill. Ha !"
"The very fellow!" exclaimed the other. "You recollect
how he escaped. Seize him!"
In a moment the strong hand of the first was laid upon him,
and his grasp was the grasp of an Anakim, and though Crosby
might have been a match for him alone, prudence forbade resist-
ance. They were two, he was but one ; they were armed with
muskets, he had no weapon about him.
" To-morrow," said the princiiial, " you shall go to headquar-
ters, where, my word for it, you'll smng without much cere-
mony. The committee will never take the trouble to try you
again, and Townsend declares that he wishes only to come once
more within gun-shot of you."
Crosby was seldom alarmed, but now he could perceive real
danger. Could he be faii'ly tried he might escape, but to be
delivered into Townsend' s hands, and perhaps the Committee of
Safety at a distance, he might indeed come to harm. He had
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 113
one resort, he could show his pass, and it might save him.
Accordingly, drawing it forth, he presented it to his captors.
" Read that," said he, " and then say whether I am worthy
of death."
Astonishment sat on the countenances of both while they read
the pass. When it was finished the principal observed :
" I am satisfied we have been deceived, others are deceived
also. You are at liberty to go where you please. This is the
handwriting of Mr. Jay. I know it well."
Crosby might, perhaps, have stayed where he was through the
night, but his feelings were such that he preferred to seek other
lodgings. Accordingly shouldering his pack, he set forth in
quest of a resting-place, which at the distance of a couple of
mUes he was so fortunate as to obtain ; but he was destined to
other troubles. Scarcely had he laid aside his pack and taken a
seat near a comfortable fire before a man entered whom he was
sure he had seen before. At the same time the stranger cast
upon him an eye of deep scrutiny and increasing severity.
" A cool evening abroad," observed Crosby.
The stranger made no reply, but springing upon his feet darted
upon him like a fiend.
" Now I know you !" exclaimed he. "I thought it was
you ! You are the villain who betrayed us to the Committee of
Safety ! Clear out from the house quickly or I'll call one of my
neighbors, who says that if he ever sees you again he'll suck
your very heart's blood."
" Ah," said Crosby, quite calm and collected, " perhaps — "
" Leave this house instantly !" vociferated the man, now
nearly choked with rage. " But before you go take one pound-
ing."
" A pounding !" exclaimed Crosby in contempt. " Come,
then," rising like a lion fi-om his lair ; " come !" said he, at the
same time rolling up his sleeves and showing a pair of fists which
resembled a trip-hammer for hardness.
" Why, we-we-U— upon the whole," said the man, " I— I —
think I'll let you off if you'll never set foot here again."
"I'll promise no such thing," said Crosby. "I'm willing to
go ; indeed, I would not stay in such a habitation as this, but
I'll not be driven."
Crosby weU knew that prudence required his departure, and
114 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
with some deliberation he shouldered his pack once more, and
with a " good-by" left the house. At the distance of a mile he
found lodgings, where he slept unmolested. On the following
morning he ascertained that the Committee of Safety were alone
at Fishkill, the troops having gone abroad on some expedition.
Seizing the opportunity of their absence, he crossed the river,
and was soon at the residence of Mr. Duer. That Crosby was
in more than ordinary danger in traversing the country was
apparent both to himself and Mr. Duer. He was advised, there-
fore, to repair to an honest old Dutchman's, who lived in a
retired place some miles distant, and there wait until further
orders. Accordingly, being furnished with a complete set of
tools, he proceeded to the appointed place, and was so fortunate
as to find ample emj^loyment for some time under the very roof
of his host. A few days only, however, had elapsed when an
express arrived bringing him a letter from Mr. Duer, summon-
ing him to Fishkill. On his arrival circumstances existed which
rendered it imprudent for him to tarry, and he was directed to
return to the Dutchman' s and wait for further orders.
A few days from that time Crosby received definite instruc-
tions from the Committee of Safety to repair to Vermont on a
secret expedition, and as no time was to be lost, he was obliged
to bid his host adieu quite suddenly.
*********
We shall not attempt to follow Crosby on his northern tour,
nor to relate the many adventures with which he met during his
absence. He proved of great service to the cause of his country,
but often suffered much by being taken with Tories whose cap-
ture he was instrumental in effecting. At length he returned to
the theatre of his former operations, but he was now suspected
by the Tories of being a secret friend to the Whigs and opposed
to the royal cause. He was, therefore, narrowly watched, and
even found it necessary to hide himself at a brother-in-law' s in
the Highlands. Nor was he even here secure, for on the second
night after reaching his brother-in-law's residence a musket was
discharged through the window at him, the ball of which grazed
his neck and tore the collar of his coat. It was apparent from
this circumstance that his retreat was known, but it was ren-
dered quite certain a few nights after by the appearance of an
armed gang at the door. Crosby heard the coming of the assail-
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 115
ants and sprung to his gun, but before he could reach it a ruffian
had snapped a pistol at his head. Fortunately it missed fire,
but now a most desperate engagement followed, in which Crosby-
showed the most astonishing strength and agility, but numbers
at length overpowered him, and he was left for dead. Life,
however, was not extinct, and after the ruffians had retired
Crosby in a measure came to himself, but months passed away
before he was able to resume the business in which he had been
engaged.
After the Revolution Enoch Crosby and his brother, Benja-
min, purchased from the Commissioners of Forfeiture a farm of
two hundred and fifty-six acres in the village of Southeast,
where he lived during the remainder of his life. For many years
he was justice of the peace, was one of the associate judges of
Common Pleas in 1812-13, and supervisor of Southeast during
these years. He was a deacon in the old Gilead Church, and
a worthy member till the day of his death. In person he was
tall, being six feet in height and rather slender.
His tombstone, near the northwest corner of the old Gilead
burying-ground, bears the following inscription :
in memory of
Enoch Crosby,
Who died June 26, 1835,
Aged 85 years, 5 months and 21 days.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE EXECUTION OF ANTHONY.
There have been two executions in Danbury. The first was
a man named Anthony, a free negro, living in Greenwich. He
perhaps had no other name, as Anthony is alone used in the
indictment and the warrant for execution. His crime was
committed on March 7th, 1798, and he was hanged in November
following.
At ten o'clock on the morning of November 8th, 1799, Anthony
was removed from the jaU and taken to the Congregational
Church, late the Concert Hall building. The church was
crowded to overflo'wing with spectators, as, despite the tragic
character of the event, the town assumed a holiday appearance.
Anthony was placed at the front, under the pulpit, during the
preaching of the sermon. Rev. Timothy Langdon was the pastor,
and delivered the discourse. He took for his text the thirty-
fifth and thirty-sixth verses of the thirty-second chapter of Deu-
teronomy : "To Me belongeth vengeance and recompense ; their
foot shall slide in due time ; for the day of their calamity is at
hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
For the Lord shall judge His people, and repent Himself for His
servants. " The greater part of the sermon had a general applica-
tion, and was the same as the reverend gentleman would have
said in treating of the text to his regular congregation. Upon
the close of this he personally addi'essed the prisoner. He said :
' ' Anthony, it is by your request that I speak on this occasion,
and this is the last address which I shall ever make to you.
From the sentence pronounced upon yovi by the court, and from
the preparations with which you are siirrounded, you must see
that you have but a very, very short time to live. Your situa-
tion is tinily deplorable. Whatever your crimes may have been
against God and hximan society, yet seeing your present condi-
tion, I pity you as a man, I pray for you as a Christian, and am
HISTOEY OF DANBURT. 117
now to address you as a minister of the Gospel. I must there-
fore be faithful, and use great plainness of speech."
Then followed a description of the enormity of his sin, com-
mitted in the light of knowledge, and after that an earnest ex-
hortation to the sinner to repent, to look to Christ, to die " in a
Christian temi^er."
We judge from these words that Anthony was in an impeni-
tent frame of mind, and that he was doggedly meeting his
wretched fate.
The Rev. Mr. Langdon was an eminently sensible man. In a
few remarks to the ' ' brethren and friends' ' present he said :
" What but the sustaining grace of God has made us to differ,
in our present situation, from the unhappy prisoner ? What is
it owing to but this, that we have not committed enormous
crimes f
On the close of the sermon the civil authorities carried the
prisoner to the place set apart for his execution. This was at
the head of Elm Street, near the pond. The gallows was erected
on land belonging to Samuel Dibble, and from the fact of this
execution the place took the name of " Gallows Hill."
There was a great crowd present, of course, as it was a public
execution, and the first ever had here. People from quite a
distance were in attendance, and nearly all the town folks were
present.
Sheriff Dimon, of Fairfield, was the county sheriff, and he
officiated.
At the gallows Rev. S. Blatchford, from Bridgeport, we be-
lieve, made a short address, principally dwelling upon the evil
of the deed, the need of repentance, the unhappy condition of
the prisoner, and the justice of the law, summing up with a
warning to those present to avoid sin and to seek after right-
eousness.
Amos Adams, the second culprit, was executed on November
13th, 1817. A procession, accompanied by two military com-
panies as guards, formed at the jail, and with the prisoner
marched to the Congregational Church at the foot of West
Street, where religious services were held. These consisted
mainly of a full-fledged sermon, which the preacher launched
at the congregation for the benefit of the prisoner. The build-
ing was filled to suffocation. After the sermon the procession re-
118 HISTORY OF DANBtJRY.
formed, and marched tip West Street on its way to the scaflFold,
which was erected at a point near the head, of Elm Street, then
an open country.
The crowd of people was immense. They came from a dis-
tance of twenty-five miles to witness tne execution, and as there
were no raili'oads in that day, we may gather in what esteem a
hanging was held by the populace. From the country and the
neighboring towns the teams flocked into Danbury from early
in the morning, many reaching here the night before in their
eagerness to be on time.
The procession moved up West Street, led by fife and drum,
and to their music the prisoner and his guards kept step, while
the teams of visitors were in the line, and the walks filled with
a dense crowd.
The ground about the scaffold was thronged with people, and
all the trees in the neighborhood were filled with the more ven-
turesome of the crowd. Several of the limbs gave way by the
weight, precipitating the contents somewhat suddenly and pro-
miscuously to the ground. Here and there were stands for the
refreshment of the people, and with the exception of the scaffold,
there was nothing to indicate the presence of an awful tragedy.
The cutting of the rope was done by a sword, and Adams
dangled in the air, dying easily. He was but twenty-eight years
of age.
CHAPTER XXII.
TO THE END OF THE CENTURT.
From the war to tlie close of the century Danbury suffered
from no disturbance.
In 1784 Danbury was made a haLf-shire town by act of the
Legislature. The following is the action of the town meeting
held in August, 1784, in response to the legislative act. At an
adjourned town meeting, held in Danbury, August 9th, 1784,
James Seeley, Moderator, it was voted :
" The General Assembly of the State having been pleased at
their last session to constitute the town of Danbury a half -shire
town, agreeable to the desire of the town, as by their vote and
record appears, and directed that the Superior and County
Courts for the County of Fairfield should be held one half the
time in town, as soon as public building necessary for the pur-
jiose should there be erected without expense to the County of
Fairfield, this meeting taking into consideration the general advan-
tages that will accrue to this part of the county in general and
to the town in particular by ha^^ng the act carried into execu-
tion, especially as among many other privileges this town will
thereby be furnished when the building shall be completed, with
a very commodious house for transacting all their town business,
of which they now stand in great need, and without any further
expense to the town in particular — do thereby give and grant
two hundred and fifty pounds, L. M. to be applied to erecting
the building aforesaid, and the meeting do grant a rate or tax
of twopence halfpenny on the pound on the polls and ratable
estate of the inhabitants of the town to be made upon the list of
1783, and to be collected and paid to the treasurer of the town
by the first day of November next, to be by him paid into the
hands of a committee who may be appointed to carry on the
building and to be by them appointed for that purpose. And
Messrs. Edmond Washburn and James Clark were appointed
120 HISTORY OF D ANBURY.
collectors to collect and pay in the same ; and the whole of the
civil authority in this town were appointed a committee to confer
and agree with a committee to be appointed by the adjoining
towns to inspect the btiilding of the house and the place where
to set it, and to join with them in appointing a committee to
carry on the building and to set it on any of the town land where
they shall think proper."
In the following year, 1785, the court-house and jail were
built. In January, 1791, the jail was burned, but rebuilt the
same year on the site of the present jail. The second jail was
built with the proceeds of a lottery. The first Masonic lodge
was instituted in Danbury in 1780. The first Baptist church, in
King Street District, was organized in 1785.
In 1789 the first Methodist sermon in Danbury was delivered
by Rev. Jesse Lee, in the dwelling of a resident Methodist.
Methodism, now having the strongest following of any Protes-
tant denomination in Danbury, was bitterly contested on its first
appearance here. In 1790 the second Baptist society was formed.
This was in Miry Brook District. The society built in 1794.
In 1790 Danbury' s first newspaper was printed. The first
number was issued in March of that year. It was called the
Farmers' Journal. Two other papers were established in the
last decade of the century. These and the churches wiU be
spoken of in detail in other chapters.
Another industry located here was the manufacture of jiaper.
The mill was started in Beaver Brook District in 1790. The plant
is now operated by the McArthur Brothers, who have built up a
large and prosperous business, but there have been no additional
mills for making paper established here.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE FIRST BOROUGH CHARTER.
Danbuet commenced the nineteentli century by holding a
town meeting, at which the wages of a man and horse to " work
the roads" were fixed at 75 cents a day. It is to be hoped that
neither the man nor the horse had much of a family.
The population of the town at the beginning of the century
was 3180. In the year 1801 there was a great flood, and in that
year there was an epidemic of small-pox. In 1804 the General
Assembly gave to Danbury permission to hold a public lottery,
the proceeds of which were to go to the building of a house for
the poor at this end of the county. In 1807 there was an attempt
made to dispossess Danbury of its title as a half-shire town, but
the effort came to naught. In 1810 comb-making was established
in this town, and continued for a number of years, but it died
out entirely. In 1820 the population of the town had reached
the figures 3783 ; and in 1822 the borough of Danbury was
created by an act of the General Assembly.
The application for the charter was made by Moss White and
other citizens. The boundaries of the new borough we give
below. As the face of many of the localities has changed since
1822, we give herewith some information for which we are in-
debted to one of the oldest citizens of Danbury, Frederick S.
Wildman.
Middle River is the stream that flows from the Middle River
District across Main Street, near the hat factory of Charles H.
Merritt. The house of Stephen Ambler stood in that vicinity.
The "barn plain" bridge mentioned is that on White Street
across Still River. The tannery of Starr & Sanford was at the
foot of Liberty Street. At the beginning of the century Main
Street was called Town Street. The Episcopal church stood in
the present graveyard on South Street.
" Deer Hill Lane" is Deer Hill Avenue. The road leading
122 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
from the Danbury Court House to Ridgefield is Wooster aud
West Wooster streets.
The other road spoken of in this connection is West Street.
The Presbyterian meeting-house was the building of the First
Congregational Church, later Concert Hall, which stood where
is now the soldiers' monument. Blind Brook is the stream that
crosses Elm Street, near River. Mr. Green lived in that vicinity.
The Methodist " meeting-house" was then on Franklin Street.
" Beginning at a point on the Middle River, thirty rods west
of the bridge, near the dwelling-house of Stephen Ambler, thence
following said stream to barn plain bridge ; thence southwardly
to the tannery of Starr and Sanford ; thence following the line
passing down the east side of the town hill lane to the south end
thereof ; thence in the same course across town street, leading
eastwardly from the Episcopal church to a point fifty rods south-
w^ardly of the line passing on the south end thereof ; thence in
a straight line to the south end of deer hill lane ; thence north-
erly following the line passing on the west side of deer hill lane
to the road leading from Danbury court-house to Ridgefield,
thence westerly following the line passing on the south side of
said Ridgefield road to the place it intersects with the road
leading from the Presbyterian meeting-house to said Ridgefield,
near the dwelling-house of Eli Wildman ; thence northwardly
following the line passing on the west side of last-mentioned
road to the dwelling-house of Hawley Wildman ; thence in a
straight line to the blind brook bridge near the dweUing-house
of Dorastus Green ; thence to the Methodist meeting-house, in-
cluding the same and the land whereon it stands ; thence in a
straight line to the place of beginning."
THE BOROUGH ENLARGED.
The next year the charter on its southern limits was changed.
In that time the elevation on which now stands the Liberty
Street school-house was called Horse Island. In the following
year the Legislature granted a change in the limits, as herewith
expressed :
" That the limits of the borough of Danbury shall hereafter be
on its south limits as follows, any law or resolution to the con-
trary notwithstanding— viz. : Beginning at the present line of the
same, at the north side of horse island lane near the tan works
V
4:
>^- ^
■€>
.^
Elia^ S. Sanfokd.
Alfued Guegoky.
K I; W iHrTi,].-Kv
L. Starr Dexedict.
EzHA B. Stevens.
Martin II. UriffiN(
Charles H. Heed.
Albert Scott.
Jarvis p. Hull.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 123
of Starr and Sanford, those running south to the south side of
said lane ; thence along the south and west side of said lane to
the road leading from Bethel to the Episcopal church ; thence
westerly to the north side of the highway leading across the
south end of the town street to deer hill lane ; thence northerly
on the east side of said deer hill lane within twenty rods of the
corner easterly of Andrew Beers' dwelling-house ; thence west-
erly across said deer hill lane to the highway leading south from
Alfred Gregory's dwelling-house, twenty rods south of the cor-
ner ; thence northerly to the bridge by Dorastus Green's."
At a meeting of the Electors composing the Boi'ough of Dan-
bury, held at the Coixrt House in said Borough on Wednesday,
the 20th day of June, 1822, the following officers were appointed
to the following offices— to wit :
Darius Starr was chosen Clerk, and sworn in by S. H. P., Esq.
Daniel B. Cooke, Warden.
Samuel Tweedy, ^
Moss White, |
Elijah Gregory,
David Foot,
Samuel Wildman,
William Patch,
Alanson Hamlin, Treasurer.
Matthew Curtis, Bailiff.
EXTENDING THE LIMITS.
In 1846 the Legislature took another hand in the borough
boundaries, and enlarged them as herewith set forth :
"Sec. 9. That the boundaries of the borough be altered and
the limits thereof extended, and that instead of the present
limits and boundaries the following be, and hereby are estab-
lished as the limits and boundaries of said borough — to wit :
Beginning on the Clapboard Ridge road, so called, fifteen rods
west side of the hat manufactory of Hoyt, Tweedy & Co. ; thence
following said road to the bridge near said shop ; thence follow-
ing the centre of the river eastwardly and southwardly to the
bridge across said river, on the highway leading from Danbury
thi'ough Pembroke to New Fairfield ; thence southwardly to a
point in the boundary line between Henry Benedict's land and
Burgesses.
124 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Thomas T. Whittlesey's land, sixteen rods eastwardly from the
intersection of said boundary line with the Town Hill road, by a
passway leading to and through Heni-y Benedict's land, near
the dwelling-house of Luke Tyley ; thence southeastwardly in
a straight line to a point in the north line of the highway lead-
ing from the south end of Main Street to Bethel, four rods east-
wardly of the point of intersection of said north line with the
west line of the highway called the Town Hill road ; thence
southwardly dii'ectly across said road to the south side thereof ;
thence south twenty rods ; thence westwardly in a straight line
to a point on the east side of the highway extending the length
of Deer Hill, twenty rods south of the point of intersection of
said Deer Hill road with the road leading to Deer Hill from the
south end of Main Street ; thence westwardly directly across
said road to the west side thereof ; thence northwestwardly to a
point in the south line of the highway leading from Main Street
to Miry Brook, opposite the southwest corner of the lot of land
on which Eli Wildman's barn stands, thence directly across said
road to the corner of said lot ; thence west, directly across the
road passing on the west side of said barn to the west line of
said road ; thence northwardly in the west line of said last-men-
tioned highway, to the north line of the highway leading across
Frank's Hill, so called, at the point of intersection of said two
roads ; thence in a straight line to the northeast corner of David
Petit' s dwelling-house ; thence northwardly in a straight line to
the northwest coi'ner of Russell Hoyt's land on Mill Ridge,
opposite William P. Starr's barn ; thence in a straight line to
the place of beginning ; and all that part of the said town of
Danbury included within the foregoing limits and not within the
present limits of the borough of Danbury, be annexed and made
a part of said borough of Danbury."
In 1862 the Legislature granted an amendment to the above,
enlarging the limits of the borough, and these lines remained
until the city charter was granted.
OUR TAX LIST A CENTURY AGO.
In 1795 a book of twelve pages, four by thirteen inches in size,
was all that was necessary to contain the names of all taxpayers
in Danbury and Bethel, with the amount upon which each was
taxed. In this little brown-paper-covered book there appear the
HISTORY OF DANBURT.
125
names of 544 taxpayers, with a total amount of £23,257 19s. 7d.
in taxable property. The proportion of each is as follows :
Taxpayers. £ s. d.
Danbury, 397 17,247 5
Bethel, 147 5,983 14 7
The families represented by the largest number of taxpayers
were as follows, in the order given, in Danbury : Benedict, 30
names ; Barnum, 23 names ; Hoyt, 21 ; Wildman, 17 ; Gregory,
15 ; Starr, 14, and Knapp, 13. In Bethel : Benedict, 20 ; Bar-
num, 12, and Hoyt, 10.
The list is certified to by Thomas P. White, Ezra Barnum,
Joseph Trobridge, Phineas Taylor, Eli Hickock, listers, and
Eli Mygatt, town clerk. On the front is written the date
"1795;" also, "The lender must be paid," and on the back,
" He that borrows must return."
In 1836 the sum of taxable property amounted to $2,981,680,
and the tax thereon was paid by 1164 individuals. In 1885 the
amount of taxable property was $6,384,391, and the number of
taxpayers was 2225.
Ninety-six images were required for making a copy of the list
of 1885. We give below a copy of the amount of list for 1836
and 1885, fi'om which an idea of our growth may be had.
1836.
1885.
No.
Valne.
No.
Valne.
910
23,107
114
541
2,644
50?
513
1,067
$938,716
706,357
183,181
34,355
75,042
2,134
18,643
10,210
218,152
39,500
102,828
187,375
438,0'JO
2,398
24,133
262
1,198
1,812
172
679
211
$3,433,885
886,101
910,500
64,240
37 861
634
Wagons
32,975
7,345
Stocks
291 376
Bonds
115,405
In trade
353,750
Manufacturing
195.997
116,527
Total
$3,981,680
$6,384,391
The above table presents some queer contrasts, especially in
the last two items.
CHAPTER XXIV.
CHKISTENING IDEAS OF OUR FATHERS.
Our venerated ancestors were tinctured with the spice of
humor, if we may Judge from the names bestowed by them upon
some of the districts and streets of the town. Presuming that it
may be interesting to many of our readers, we have ventiired to
prepare this chapter upon some of the changes in the borough
within the last fifty years.
We will first wrestle with Squabble Hill, comprising that por-
tion of Park Avenue which lies between Division Street and the
old Miry Brook Road, and was probably named from the then
steep and rough hills to ascend at both ends of it. At the period
above mentioned there was but one building upon it, a small
brown house at the summit of the hill near Division Street, and
on the latter street there was none.
Dumpling Hole is now known as Mountainville, and we never
learned from whence it derived its former name. Perhaps it
was from the mud-holes that formerly occupied a portion of the
road in the spring of the year. It now makes a charming and
picturesque drive in the summer.
Sugar Hollow extends from the Miry Brook Road to Starr's
Plain, and is most delightful and charming. Its quiet is rarely
disturbed, though occasionally a man with a straw hat and an
apple- wood pipe trudges through its shades to the margin of an
adjoining lake, peers into the water, unwinds a long string, puts
a bait on a hook, and throws it in. If Rip Van Winkle had
travelled a little farther east and taken his nap among the rocks
here, he would probably be still sleeping.
Gallows Hill is now called Beaver Street, and derives its name
from an execution which took place there in the latter part of
the last century.
Clapboard Ridge comprised the rising ground at the north end
BISTORT OF DANBURT. 127
of Main Street, over which the old King Street and Ball's Pond
Road passes.
Pinchgnt, which we cannot locate, was in one of the outside
districts. It sails under some other cognomen now, and its orig-
inal romantic name is rarely heard to-day.
Monkeytown, Wolfpits, Dodgingtown, Wildcat, and Puppy-
town were on the southeastern border of our town, but when
Bethel set up housekeeping for herself she wrested aU these
chickens from Danbury and gathered them under her wing.
Elmwood supersedes Wildcat, but the others, we think, retain
their primitive names.
Pumpkin Ground covered the upper part of Elm Street, and
also bore the name of Rabbit HiU. It was rarely traversed save
as a path to pastures. It still retains its ancient i-eputation for
producing prodigious pumpkins.
The Boggs is now known as Westville, a decided improvement.
Years ago the manufacture of hats was carried on here as in
most of the other out-disti-icts, but long since succumbed to the
centralizing influence of the trade, and farming industries have
taken its place, especially the mUk biisiness.
The first milk-wagon that appeared on our streets excited
much curiosity, and the remark was made : " I wonder if that
man ever expects to make a living in that way !" Of course
this was before our water-works were built. Several years ago
we hinted to a milkman something about milk and water, and
the rejoinder was: "Water in milk? To be sure there is.
People must be blamed fools to think that a cow never drinks
water." That argument was unanswerable. We have never
been uncharitable to the persecuted milkman since.
This jDortion of the town, it will be remembered, attracted
much attention and occasioned an exciting war of words between
the Boggs Ponders and the East Lakers a short time since, in
reference to a new reservoir, ending in victory for the latter ;
but if we are to judge from the past experience, at no very dis-
tant date we shaU be obliged to harness in the Boggs Pond and
set it to work.
Plum Meadow Woods, or a portion of it, is now the old
Catholic Cemetery. Thirty years ago or more a considerable
area here was covered by a very attractive grove, in which the
partridge and rabbit were frequently startled from their hiding-
128 HISTORY OF DAN BURY.
places in the underbrush, and it was a favorite resort of young
people for wild flowers in the spring of the year. This locality
and the adjoining South Street are historic grounds of the Revo-
lution. It was almost within the shadow of this grove that
Wooster died. In June, 1781, a detachment of the French army
in Rhode Island, about four thousand strong, on its way to join
the American army on the Hudson, passed through this town,
and encamped for the night in these woods.
Shelter Rock still wears its primitive name, but is almost
shorn of its former heavy forest garniture. At one time its
woods covered the west side of the river, and almost connected
with Plum Meadow Grove. Three brigades of the American
army of the Hudson were encamped here in winter quarters
during the winter of 1779-80, on a level plateau on the east side
of the hill, with a forest lining it on the north and east, and a
rocky precipice also on the east side. The wells that they dug
can be seen at the present day, but they are filled up with stone
to prevent cattle from falling into them. The fireplaces where
theii' cooking was done are also visible by the side of some rocky
cliffs.
Padanaram is the modern name of a portion of the district of
HayestowTi, and is now the gateway to Pembroke Pond. Nearly
half a century ago Colonel E. Moss White had an extensive hat-
forming factory in connection with the pond. It was kept
running night and day by two sets of hands, as long as the
water-power would hold out.
At this time there were only three buildings, including the
factory, from its intersection with North Street to King Street,
a distance of about two miles. Many years ago there was very
good fronting from the factory dam to North Meadow Brook,
but like all trout streams in this vicinity, it now affords little
encouragement for the lover of piscatorial sport.
CHAPTER XXV.
OLD DANBUBY.
A LONG and narrow account-book, in the possession of Miss
Hollister, of Grassy Plain, bears upon its inner cover these
words : " Stephen Trowbridge. His Book. Bought 1748."
A few items from its contents will be of interest to the descend-
ants of those whose names are mentioned.
In May, 1749, is wa-itten :
" William Cook, Dr.
" To one iurney to Stratfield with a teem."
" To 4 barils and half of sider."
" To filing up your hogshead and taking care of it."
And in October another " iurney to Stratfield" is charged.
In 1751 Thomas Starr is debtor " To three pounds of boter at
4s. per pound," and credited with " two pare of shoes for self,
and two pare for wife, £.2. °5."
Joseph Starr is credited "By making one pare of ChUd's
Shoes and what els you have don. ' '
In 1766 Joshua Knap is Dr. " To weaving 22 & f yards of
bed tick very fine and rotten, £1. 10. 2."
Just here a sudden appreciation of the merits of this " Book"
seems to have struck its owner, for the following is written
Avith decided clearness : " this Litel book is Very Good Sort of
paper to Wright on."
In 1769 we find the following :
" By making one gound for my wife 2.3.
" " " a frok for Lydiah 6d.
" " " three jackets for my boys 5s.
" " " a gound 9.d
" " " " shirt 2s."
In 1759, "3 bushels of appels" were bought for 2s. 3d.; in
1775, " A fat Goos" for " 2s.;" in 1785, " SUver Buckels lO.s."
130 HISTOEY OF DANBURY.
The following is certainly a novel settlement of accounts :
" July 15, 1787, By agreement with Capt. Daniel Taylor with-
out comparing our accts we ballance'' our books. £3. 9. 6."
The following letter, which we copy by permission of Mrs.
L. D. Brewster, will give the present generation some new ideas
regarding life, not only in Danbnry, biit in New York City,
ninety years ago :
"D ANBURY, Jan 24, 1805
" Dear Children,
We hoj^ed and strongly expected a letter per last mail which
did not arrive until this day about noon on horseback through
much difficulty, the roads being filled with a dreadful snow
storm which fell the day Moss left Danbury. We were much
conserned about him and are still, how he got along & whether
he did not freeze, but we cannot hear a word. . . . Zar has the
most company this court he ever had at any court before this ;
150 eat dinner at his house to day. He burns about two loads
of wood per day and is nearly out and it is next to impossible
to get at his wood.
' ' We feel much for you that you must suffer with a multitude
of others for the want of this article as we understand it is diffi-
cult to procure it at any price in New York, and impossible that
any can be conveyed by water as usual. But to day has been
not so severely cold as for a long time heretofore and we hope
the weather may continue to moderate more and more, and in
this way you with the distressed inhabitants of New York may
have relief.
" (Signed) Joseph Moss White."
In the " Recollections of a Lifetime," by S. C. Goodrich, we
find the following reminiscences of his short residence in Dan-
bury :
" There was, if I rightly remember, in the month of February,
1809, though it might have been a year later, a certain ' cold
Friday,' which passed down to succeeding generations as among
the marvels of the time. It had snowed heavily for three days,
and the ground was covered three feet deep.
" A driving wind from the northwest then set in, and grovnng
colder and colder, it became at last so severe as to force everybody
to shelter. This continued for two days, the whole air being
Mrs. Jose™ P. C
Joseph F. White.
Joseph Moss White.
Joseph P. Cook.
E. M. White.
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 131
filled with sleet, so that the sun, without a cloud in the sky,
shone dim and gray as through a fog.
" The third day (Friday) the wind increased both in force and
intensity of cold. Horses, cattle, fowls, and sheep perished in
their coverings. The roads were blocked up with enormous
drifts : the mails stopped, traveUing was suspended ; the world
indeed seemed paralyzed and the circulation of life to be
arrested."
Mr. Goodrich came to Danbury to become a clerk in the store
of Amos Cooke, his brother-in-law. Amos was the son of Col-
onel Joseph Piatt Cooke, who graduated at Yale in 1750 ; estab-
lished himself in Danbury ; married Sarah, daughter of Captain
Daniel Benedict, and died in February, 1816. Of Colonel Joseph
Cooke and his wife, Goodrich thus writes :
' ' The father and mother of my brother-in-law were aged peo-
ple living with him in the same house, and as one family. They
were persons of great amiability and excellence of character ;
the former. Colonel Cooke, was eighty years of age, but still had
perfect exercise of his faculties, and though he had ceased all
business, he was cheerful and took an interest in passing events.
His career had been one of great activity and usefulness. He
was greatly esteemed, not only by the community, but by the
leading men of the country. He enjoyed the friendship and con-
fidence of Washington, and the acquaintance of Lafayette,
Rochambeau, and De Grasse, whom he entertained at his house.
In manner and dress he was strongly marked with the Wasliing-
ton era ; he was sedate, courteous, and methodical in all his
ways ; he wore breeches, knee-buckles, shoe-buckles, and a
cocked hat to the last. The amenity and serenity of his coun-
tenance and conduct bespoke the refined gentleman and dis-
cii^lined Christian. "
Of Amos Cooke he writes :
" My brother-in-law was tall, emaciated, somewhat bent, with
a large head and large, melancholy eyes. His look was gravity
itself, his air meditative, his movements measured, slow, and
wavering.
" In sharp contrast was his friend, ' 'Squire Hatch,' who was
rather short, full-chested, perpendicular, and with a short,
quick, emphatic step. His eyes were gray, small, and twink-
ling, his lips sharp and close-set, his hair erect and combed
132 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
back, giving to his face the keen expression of the old-fashioned
flint set in a gunlock.
' ' He was celebrated for his wit no less than his learning, and
he seldom opened his month without making a report of one or
both."
Amos Cooke was born October 11th, 1773, and died November
13th, 1810. Moses Hatch was born in Kent, Litchfield County,
in 1780, and died there in 1820.
Mr. Goodrich also writes of " a neighbor over the way, a good-
natured, chatty old gentleman by the name of Ebenezer White.
He had been a teacher and had a great taste for mathematics."
At that time ' ' it was the custom to put forth in the newspapers
puzzling questions of figures, and to invite their solution. Master
White was sure to give the answer first. Under his good-natured
and gratuitous lessons I learned something of geometry and
trigonometry, and thus passed on to surveying and navigation."
This was Ebenezer Russell White, and his note-book, now in
possession of his descendants in Danbury, is filled with mathe-
matical and algebraical problems, besides a number of poems
original with him, mostly bearing upon family matters.
Among the merchants doing business here in 1804 we find
Amos Cooke, the brother-in-law of S. C. Goodrich, who adver-
tises quite extensively in the fall of that year. We copy his
advertisement.
"Amos Cooke
Has just received a new supply of Goods, consisting of the fol-
lowing, with many other articles, which are offered for sale at
very moderate prices for Cash, Produce, or the usual Credit :
" Superfine, Middling and Coarse Broadcloths, Cassimeres,
Flannels, Lion Skin, Rose Blankets, Cotton and Woolen Check,
Muslins, Bi'own and White Linens, Velvets, a great variety of Cali-
coes very low, large Silk Shawls, Blue, Green and Purple ditto,
Romals, Bandanna and Lungee Handkerchiefs, Lustrings, Satins,
Laces, &c.
Likewise,
Jamaica and Antigua Rum, Brandy, Cider Brandy, two years
old ; Madeira and Sherry Wines, Molasses, Sugars, Young
Hyson, Souchong and Bohea Teas, Coffee, Chocolate, Starch,
Hair Powder, Cloves, Nutmegs, Cassia, Bisciiit, good Writing
Paper, Snuff and Tobacco, English Powder, Patent Shot, &c.
HISTORY OF DANBUBY. 133
" Nicaragua, Fustic, Logwood, Madder, Verdigris, Alum,
Copperas, Indigo, Blue Vitriol and Oil of Vitriol.
" The following Books, most of which will be sold lower than
the New York price, &c. [Here follows a list of exceedingly
heavy volumes.]
" Danbury, Oct. 23."
June 8th, 1805, Mr. Cooke advertises to sell his stock of goods
at very reduced prices, as he intends to relinquish his present
business.
Mr. Cooke's place of business was near the residence of the
late Edgar S. Tweedy.
Another merchant doing an extensive business here at that
time was Comfort S. Mygatt, who advertised goods of all kinds,
similar to Mr. Cooke.
" Wheat and Rye Flour, constantly on hand, and for sale, at
the Red Mill, for Cash, or on a Credit of 60 days when punctual
payment can be depended on, by Samuel C. Dibble & Co."
This mill stood on the site of tlie Eureka Mill, near Main
Street bridge. The business was afterward carried on where
White's fur factory now stands. About 1830 George Crofut and
Charles F. Starr established the business where Mr. Crofut' s
mill was burned down. Mr. Dibble removed to Stamford, and
bought a farm on Strawberry HiU, a mile from the village. He
was the father of Ira S. Dibble. Mr. Dibble moved back to
Danbury, and died here.
" Delays are Dangerous.
" Those indebted to the subscribers, on Book or Note (now
due by agreement), may have an opportunity of cancelling the
same, by payment in Walnut, Oak, or Maple Wood, Wheat,
Rye, Corn, Oats, Buckwheat, Flax Seed, Hats, Saddles, or
Shoes, at their full value, if delivered soon, but if delayed Cash
will be the only substitute which will be received by
"Joseph F. & E. M. White."
This firm consisted of the brothers Joseph F. White and
Colonel E. Moss White.
Peter Benedict advertises ' ' an indented lad to the farming
business, named Levi Wood, about nineteen years old, tall of his
age, and heavy moulded," and offers one cent reward and no
134 HISTORY OF DANBIJRT.
charges paid to any one who will return said lad. We think
Mr. Benedict could not have M'-anted " said lad" very badly, as
he did not run very far away, for he died here at an advanced
age. Peter Benedict lived at Dumpling Hole, now Mountain-
ville, and was the grandfather of Egbert S. Benedict.
Ezra Wildman is more liberal in offering rewards, for he will
give 25 cents for the return of Gershom G. Finch, an indented
apprentice to the hatting business, but he will pay no charges.
— Justus Barniim carried on the tailoring business in the lower
part of the Court House.
William Chappell informs us that he has " lately become pro-
prietor in the machine for carding wool in this town, and is now
erecting a new one of the first quality which Avill be ready for
carding in the course of a week. As it is intended to use the
old machine for breaking the wool, and the new one for rolling,
and having employed an experienced workman, the jsroprietor
will be enabled to dispatch the business with iDunctuality, and
in the best manner.
"N.B.— The wool must be brought to hand well picked and
greased, at the rate of one pound of grease to ten of wool."
Mr. Chappell lived on South Street and carried on the furni-
ture business. Mr. Horace Marshall learned the trade of him,
and married his daughter.
Edwards Ely informs us that he has " lost a grey Horse Colt,
near the colour of a grey squirrel ; four years old, nearly four-
teen hands high, has been docked and nicked, was barefoot, lean
in flesh, and has had the horse distemper during the winter."
Ebenezer D. and Walter Starr say they will "pay cash for Green
Calf Skins and Tanner's Bark at theu" place of business, ten rods
south of the meeting house." They were brothers of Friend
Starr, and their place of business was where the Pahquioque
Block now stands.
Ezra Boughton & Co. advertise that they " have received from
ISew York a handsome assortment of Summer Goods and
Groceries at the store lately occupied by Z. Griswold & Co." Mr.
Boughton was afterward engaged in the cloth-dressing business
near West Street bridge, and resided near there.
Starr & Sanford advertise for fifty cords of oak, hemlock, or
birch bark, for which cash at $5 a cord will be given at the tan
works. The boys of the present time would improve this oppor-
HISTORY OF DANBUBY. 135
tunity of laying in a supply of birch, bark. Their tan works
was near the corner of Liberty Street and Railroad Avenue.
Ezra Starr " wants a house carpenter to go to a healthy island
in the West Indies, to whom a generous salary will be given for
a term of years. None need apply who is not master of his busi-
ness in all its branches, and can produce the best recommenda-
tions. One acquainted with mill work would be preferred."
This was Major Ezra Starr. He was a man of note in his day,
and resided in a large house which stood back of the homestead
of the late D. P. Nichols. The old building has been removed
to Boughton's Lane.
Jerrey Hoyt lost " nine sheep all marked with a half -penny
on the fore side of each ear, and one of them of a chestnut color."
Mr. Hoyt lived on Clapboard Ridge, on the farm now occupied
by Lewis Elwell. He was of a genial disposition, and made
droll remarks. He said he had plowed that land over so much
that he had worn all the stones smooth and turned them into
lap-stones. He sold the farm to Russell Hoyt, removed to
Rochester, N. Y., and bought a farm which is now the centre of
that city. He sold before it became so valuable, lost his prop-
erty, and became very poor.
Ebenezer Benedict said eight sheep had broken into his en-
closure. Perhaps these were a part of Mr. Hoyt's lost sheep.
Mr. Benedict lived in Miry Brook.
Ezra Frost offers for sale at his store in Main Street, timothy,
clover and garden seeds.
Mr. Frost was at one time connected in business with Samuel
H. Phillips. He was the father of Stoddard J. Frost, at one
time a prominent merchant of Norwalk, and also of Daniel Frost,
once in business in New York.
Caleb Starr informs " the inhabitants of the town of Danbury
that he has received a warrant to collect a town tax, one cent
and five mills on the dollar ; and likewise a warrant to collect a
State tax, seven and a half mills on the dollar." He " will take
cash, town orders, flax seed or any kind of produce for the
taxes." This tax to many without explanation would seem
excessive, but it was in reality much less than at the present
time. At that time $1000 of real estate went into the list at $30,
and $1000 personal property at $60, and on this the tax was
laid. Mr. Starr resided in the old house now standing on
136 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
West, near Harmony Street. This house was built before the
Revolutionary War, and is still in possession of the family.
James Clark, librarian, notifies the members of Franklin Libra-
ry Company of the annual meeting to be held at Ebenezer B.
White' s, and also reminds them that ' ' a vote of said company
makes it necessary that the books be returned to the librarian
4 days previous to said meeting on penalty of thirty-four cents
for each neglect." Mr. Clark was a man of note in his day.
Elijah Wood offers at public vendue at the Court House, " a
number of unfinished wagons, a horse and a variety of house-
hold furniture." Mr. Wood lived at Stony Hill.
" t^^It is expected that Mr. Babbit will preach at the Court
House, next Sabbath, on the subject of the ' Restitution of All
Things.' "
We have been unable to get any information in I'egard to Mr.
Babbit, and therefore conclude that he was a stranger, and prob-
ably preached at the Court House, Sunday, June 23d, 1805, as
announced, but whether he had a large or small audience we
cannot tell, for the paper of next week is sUent on the subject.
If any such announcement should be made nowadays we are
certain that the papers in town would in their next issues give
a good synopsis of Mr. Babbit's sermon and the niimber in
attendance.
Prom the following it appears that editors at that time had
their troubles as well as at present :
" ' 5e Just and Fear Not.''
I " |^"The present number completes the first quarter of vol-
ume two of the Neio England Republican. Subscribers, &c.,
are desired to observe that by an immediate settlement they can
save a discount, and enable the editor to fulfil his contracts for
paper, payment for whicli must always be made (in cash) within
ninety days. The office receipts for the last quarter do not
amount to more than half the expense for paper alone. This is
fact ; and while such is the case, we find no encouragement to
make the improvements we wish — no stimulus to proceed with
spirit. We are, in fact, ' spending our strength, ' our time and
our cash for that which profiteth us not. Those who wish us
success at least are expected to act as consistently as they talk,
for neither promises nor a string of names will appease the duns
HISTORY OF DANBUEY. 137
of our creditors. To sncli of his customers as have made punc-
tuality their invariable rule, the editor returns his warmest
thanks."
" To Hatters.
" The subscribers have for sale a quantity of good Muskrat
Skins, very low for cash, or will exchange them for good unfin-
ished. Knapped Hats. Also aU kinds of Hatters trimmings.
" White Brothers & Co.
" X.B. — The skins will be sold for 2s. 3d. cash (York currency),
or 2s. 5d. iu exchange for hats. "
This firm consisted of Colonel Russell and Judson White.
Their place of business was where the brick building just north
of Main Street bridge now stands. Their factory was probably
the largest and most complete of any in the country at that
date. They employed, about forty hands, and did an extensive
business for the time.
EUakin Peck wants •' ' a Journeyman Blacksmith who is experi-
enced in shoeing, also an apprentice to the above business. "
Mr. Peck was the father of Stephen S. Peck, and carried on
business at the corner of Main and South streets, where the old
Episcopal church was drawn and converted into a dwelling.
Stephen Gregory wants " an active Lad of fourteen or fifteen
years of age to seiTe as an apprentice to the Saddlers business."
The house, shop, land, and out-buildings of William A. Bab-
cock, situated on Main Street, are offered for sale at public auc-
tion. Mr. Babcock removed to Xew Haven, was major of a regi-
ment there, and dropped dead as he was mounting his horse to
go on parade. He was the father of Colonel James F. Babcock,
who was for a long time editor of the Xew Haven Palladium.
Comfort Hoyt, Jr., says he " wants to purchase several tons
of sumac of the present year's growth. If cut early and well
cured, the price which he has commonly given wiU be jjaid for
it ; or if those who gather it choose, he will receive it the day it
is cut at half the usual price, in which case the gatherers wiU be
saved the risk and trouble of curing it, and the loss of weight
by drying. Those who have been in the habit of gathering it
are in no need of being told that even children can clothe them-
selves in that way easier than men and women can by spinning
and weaving, if flax and wool are found them gratis." "
138 HISTORY OF DANBFRT.
Grathering sumac is a branch of industry wMcli has entirely
disappeared from this community. It was used for coloring and
also for tanning morocco. It is undoubtedly as plentiful as
ever, but for some reason there is no demand for it. At the
time Mr. Hoyt advertised for it it was in great demand and
brought a large price. The mill for grinding it was on Still
River, near Shelter Rock.
In 1810 servants were few in Danbury, as most women did
their own housework, and the leisure hours of mothers and
daughters were employed in spinning linen thread which after-
ward was woven by hand. Those were the days of plain living,
early rising, and constant labor, both in doors and out. At that
time the West Street of to-day was spoken of as " up the lane,"
and Deer Hill Avenue, now lined with beautiful residences and
shaded by fine trees, was a narrow and crooked lane used mainly
for access to adjoining land.
There were no dwellings upon this hill except one at the corner
of the present West Street, which was occupied by Andrew
Beers, the celebrated " almanack maker," and one other known
as the " old Andrews homestead," standing a little south of the
Wooster Street of to-day.
On Main Street, between Elm and Wooster streets, there were
nine houses, including one or two stores, and on the east side
between the Wooster House and Liberty Street there were but
five. The jail was in its present location, a building of wood,
with the keeper's house just in front. In those days people
were imprisoned for debt, and if a creditor had a particular spite
against a debtor, he paid his board, and sometimes kept him in
jail for a year.
It is a singular fact that, while the laws were very strict re-
garding Sabbath-breaking and church-going, rum-drinking and
lottery gambling prevailed everywhere. A man who thought it
a sin to eat a warm dinner on Sunday had no scruples against
drinking to excess, or taking a prominent part in a lottery
scheme. The law required all members of the Grand Jury to
stop any person found travelling on the Sabbath, and, unless
his errand was of vital importance, such as going for a doctor,
or hurrying to fill an engagement to preach, he was liable to
arrest and fine. In all fast days " servile labor and vain recre-
ations" were forbidden by law.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 139
During the War of 1812 the mail stages, from Hartford to New-
York, ran through Danbury in order to avoid the Britisli troops
on the coast. When peace was declared they returned to tlie
old route along the shore. The New York mail came only once
a week. Another mail ran once a week to Poughkeepsie.
There were two companies of foot militia in Danbury, and one
in Bethel, each containing the usual number of men ; there was
also an artillery company of six men, and one of cavalry. Two
thirds of the members belonged in Danbury, and all furnished
their own arms. The training days were the first Monday in
May and in September, and a general regimental parade took
place in October. Nearly every able-bodied man was required
to serve, and any one absent at roU-call was fined $5. This law
continued in force until 1845.
In 1810 the practicing attorneys in Danbury were Moses Hatch,
Matthew B. Whittlesey, and Alanson Hamlin.
CHAPTER XXVI.
MAIN STREET IN 1815-20.
It is likely that seventy years ago the view of Danbury, with
few exceptions, was the same as at the beginning of the century.
Main Street was then as now the principal thoroughfare. Run-
ning from it on tlie east was North, White, and Liberty streets ;
on the west, Franklin, Elm, West, and Wooster streets ; South
Street at the foot. To this day we have not a single street cross-
ing Main Street, although it runs the length of the village. The
other streets were River and Town Hill. Deer Hill Avenue was
then but a lane, chiefly used for the transfer of farm products.
MAIN STREET — EAST SIDE.
The first house, on coming into Main Street at the north, on
the east side of the street, was occupied by Aaron Gunn. It
was washed away by the Kohanza disaster in 1869. Mr. Gunn
had two sons who were drafted in the War of 1812, and entered
the army at New London.
The next house stood on the corner of North Street. It was
occupied by Benjamin Barnum, and was a large, roomy build-
ing. Some years ago it was moved north on Main Street, and
still stands there.
On the opposite corner lived Noah Hubbell. Between there
and what is now Patch Street there was but one house. It was
occupied by William Patch, Jr.
Next to him was a small tenement owned by Mary Daniels,
then occupied by a family named Barnum.
John Gregory's house came next. None of his descendants
are living here.
Where Wildman's lane or court now is were two houses, since
gone. One of these was occupied by Benjamin Cozier, and the
other by William Patch, Sen.j
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 141
The next premises were those of John Nickerson, a lay-
preacher in the Methodist church. The church in that day was
supplied once a month by a circuit preacher, and in the intervals
by some lay member vested with authority to preach. Nicker-
son was an active man, and consequently well known to his
fellow-citizens.
Then came another tenant house which was occupied by Zar
Patch. It long ago passed away.
Following was the home of Archibald Benedict, a son of
Captain Noble Benedict, our Kevolutionary hero.
The residence now occupied by Harrison Flint was then the
home of the late Enoch Moore. It was built by Amos Stevens.
Next in order came the home of Abel Gregory, now owned by
Mrs. Henry Benedict.
And after this a school-house. Many years ago it was re-
moved to Franklin Street, where it continued to be used as a
school until about fifteen years ago, when it was turned into a
tenement, and is thus occupied to-day.
Deacon Joseph Piatt Cooke, son of the Revolutionary colonel
of the same name who was in command of Danbury when Tryon
came, occupied the next house. It stood on nearly the same
ground at present occupied by the residence of Mrs. William Ja-
brne.
Russell Hoyt lived next to Deacon Cooke in the house now
occupied by his son GranvUle.
Just south of the house was a store where Daniel B. Cooke
sold "shoes, sugar, shirting, and groceries." The building was
subsequently removed to White Street.
Next came the home of Colonel Russell White, which stood on
the site of the present residence of his son, WiUiam R. White.
Colonel White was a prominent hat manufacturer.
The next house was owned and occupied by Nirum Wild-
man.
Where the residence of the late Giles M. Hoyt now stands
stood the home of Rev. Ebenezer R. White, grandfather of
William R. White and Ebenezer R. Whittlesey. Between and
partly in front of these two houses stood a small building once
the store of Burr & White, but at this time occupied by the
worshippers in the Sandemanian church.
The hat manufactory of White Brothers & Co. stood near
142 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
the banks of the Still River, its site not at present being-
occupied.
Across the river, on the corner of White Street, stood the old
home of Benjamin Knapp, with its sloping roof and immense
stone chimney.
WEST SIDE.
Going back to the north end of the street and returning on the
west side the first house was the home of Stephen Ambler, the
grandfather of Mrs. A. A. Heath, and O. P. and W. H. Clark.
He did active work in the war. It is said that he and five
brothers, lying down on a thirty-six feet stick of timber, would
just cover its length. His house stood under the hill next to the
graveyard, and was long since torn down.
The graveyard itself was then there. It was not only opened
to relieve Lhe Wooster Street grounds, but to accommodate the
districts of Middle River, King Street, and Pembroke, which then
being sparingly settled, had no burial-place in their district.
Andrew Akin occupied the house now owned by George
Downs. Next to it was the home of Mary Daniels, who owned
property on the other side of the street.
John Foot, father of Mrs. Ezra Abbott, lived in the next
house, then came Captain Foot's hat shop. Adjoining this was
a tenement. Following came the home of Asa Hodge.
Thaddeus Morehouse lived next north of the Cowperthwait
homestead. Adjoining was a small tenement which closed its
existence in a summary and tragic manner, having been de-
stroyed at the time of the mobbing of Rev. Mr. Colver, in 1830.
The next house was occupied by Knapp Boughton, who dis-
tinguished himself by winning for a wife the young woman Par-
son Robbins wanted. He was father of L. H. Boughton. His
place was removed to make room for the spacious residence of
S. H. Rundle.
Mrs. Boughton, mother of Knapp, occupied a house adjoining
his. It was afterward owned by Nathaniel Bishop, and was
removed. On the southeast corner of this lot was a brick build-
ing occupied by Knapp Boughton as a store. It was removed a
long time ago.
Mrs. Elias Boughton occupied a place where now stands
George C. White's residence. The next building stood on the cor-
HISTORY OK DANBUKT. 143
ner of Franklin Street, and was occupied as a liat-finishing shop
by R^^ssell and Eli T. Hoyt. On the opposite corner stood the
residence of William Cooke, who was a prominent member of the
Masonic order. Mr. Cooke' s house was removed to Patch Street.
Next to Mr. Cooke lived Starr Nichols, a large hat manufac-
turer, and an active man in all enterprises. Following this was
a tenement long since taken down.
Next came the residence of Samuel and William Tweedy,
father and son. They were cutters oif of fur, and their shop
stood north and in rear of their home. Adjoining their house
was the place of Gershom Nichols.
Where Charles H. Merritt's residence now is stood the house
of Captain Elijah Hoyt. Daniel B. Cooke, son of Colonel Joseph
Piatt Cooke, the soldier of the Revolution, lived where does now
L. P. Hoyt. Next to this place was a store occupied by E. M.
White. It was removed to White Street. Following was a
house belonging to Najah Wildman. Next south of Najah
Wildman stood a house where is now the residence of Alfred N.
Wildman.
On the river-bank stood a mill. It was built in the last cen-
tury by Daniel Comstock for a grist-mill and occupied by Sam-
uel C. Dibble. Afterward for many years it served as a hat-
forming factory, and was owned by Niram Wildman. There
was considerable feeling at one time in the community occasioned
by this mUl. The occupant wanted to buUd a waste-weir to
empty into the stream at a point just below the opposite side of
the street, but Mr. Knapp, who lived on the corner and owned
the land, would not give him the right of way. The only alter-
native was to tap Mad River just above its junction with Still
River. The plan did not work, however, as the grade did not
give sufficient fall to carry oflf the water. As the grist-miU was
a matter of considerable importance to the people, public senti-
ment took a hand in, and Mr. Knapp was induced to consent to
the emptying of the river in Still River, in the rear of his house.
The mill building was last occupied by HoUy & Wildman, wool-
hat manufacturers. It was destroyed by fire in 1868.
The building on the corner of Elm Street was at that time the
homestead of Samuel Tweedy. It has been made into stores
since then. In its rear stood a hat factory occupied by Tweedy
and Benedict.
144 HISTORY OF DANBtJET.
MAIN STREET, BETWEEN WHITE AND LIBERTY STREETS.
There has been more change in that portion of Main Street
between these points than in any other part of the thorough-
fare ; and far less in Main Street as a whole than in any other
street, except, perhaps. South Street.
In 1815 there were but eight buildings on the east side of Main
Street, between White and Liberty, where is now an almost un-
broken bank of business places. The space not immediately
occupied by these buildings was used for gardens and fields,
principally pasturage, whUe that portion in the neighborhood
of the raUroad buildings, as far as White Street, was swamp.
Except in front of the buildings the wall the length of the block
was a stone fence. Mullein, dock, milkweed, and brambles were
conspicuous products.
The first building, passing down the street, was a small brown
tenement. Close to it was the dwelling of Mrs. Betsey Benedict.
She owned a store building which was next in order, and was
then rented by Irel Ambler. Previously Eli T. Hoyt and his
brother Russell occupied it. It stood where is now the station
of the Danbury and ISTorwalk Railway. There was no other
structure until the dwelling of Lemuel W. Benedict was reached,
which stood where is now the house occupied by Mrs. David
Pearce.
Mr. Benedict's neighbor on the south was Samuel H. Phillips.
Near his house was a little store run by Mr. Phillips, who was
a well-known character. He was deputy postmaster of Danbury,
and kept the office in his store. Consequently his place was a
resort for the various luminaries, and Mr. Phillips perhaps heard
more mendacity than any other citizen of Danbury. He was a
quiet man of a studious turn, and having a weU-balanced mind
was rarely surprised into states of undue feeling. One day a
woman apparently very anxious for a letter came in and gave
her name. There was nothing for her.
"I wish you'd look again," said she, "for I'm sure there
must be a letter here for me."
He complied, carefully going over the stock in hand.
" There is no letter here," he said.
" Well, that's strange," she muttered, " I was sure it must be
here. When do you suppose I' 11 get one V '
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 145
History does not give his answer, bnt the anecdote may sug-
gest a new form of torture for the post-office window.
Another well-known resident was the next neighbor to Post-
master PhUlips. He was Eli Mygatt, a heavy gentleman in knee-
breeches. His dwelling stood where is now Baldwin Brothers'
drug-store, and just south of it he kept a drug-store himself.
There must be something in the locality favorable to the exist-
ence of the drug business, as it has been used for that purpose
by different parties since the day Uncle Eli began his enterprise.
Both his residence and his store have long since j)assed away.
Uncle Eli had charge of the Franklin Library, as it was kept in
his store.
On the comer of Main and Liberty streets, where now stands
Benedict & Nichols' block, lived Matthew Curtis. Mr. Curtis
was a butcher, and had his slaughter quite convenient, it being
on Liberty Street, in the rear of his house, where now stands
the Disciples church.
WEST SIDE.
On the corner of Elm Street, the premises now owned by J. S.
Taylor, stood the tavern of Dr. Jabez Starr, a prominent Revo-
lutionist. Dr. Starr's swinging sign bore the simple inscription
" The Inn," and was the headquarters on training days of the
uptown military companies, which consisted of a cavalry and
an infantry organization. These two organizations used to
parade in the square fronting the tavern. On one of these occa-
sions — in 1812, we believe— a corporal was to be elected. It aj)-
pears that the ladies who favored the military had the privilege
of selecting the candidate for this honor. Their suffrage was
given in behalf of a blushing youth from Great Plain District,
then eighteen years old. On his election being announced, it
was incumbent on him to step to the front and pledge himself
to faithfully perform the duties of the office. The ladies were
assembled in front of the residence of Samuel Tweedy, on the
opposite corner, and the youth, in makmg his acknowledgment,
was obliged to face them, an ordeal that very nearly prostrated
him, but he got through with it. The eighteen-year-old boy
was the late Deacon Eli T. Hoyt.
Peck & Wildman's grocery was then an unpretentious dwell-
146 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
ing, little dreaming of the glory it was in time to ripen into, with
a gorgeous landscape as a f orepiece.
The dwelling and church in the lane, both the jiroperty of the
Sandemanian Society, were standing then.
The King George Tavern, now the property of Mrs. Urana
Barnum, was then occupied by her father, William Dobbs.
Long before the i)eriod of which we write it had ceased to be a
hostelry.
Next in order was the residence of Moses Hatch, or Judge
Hatch, as he was called. He had an office built on the street
line, now moved to rear of the post-office building. Moses
Hatch was a prominent member of the Bar. He died at the
early age of forty-one, at the threshold of what promised to be
a brilliant career. He was the grandfather of our fellow- citizen,
Alexander Wildman.
The residence of the late venerable E. Moss White stood where
is now the Library building reared by the liberality of his sons.
He was both a successful farmer and merchant of Danbury, a
man well known, thoroughly trusted, and sincerely respected by
his fellow-townsmen. Many knew well his quiet liberality and
kindness, and the remembrance of his serene face and cheery
smUe is as a benediction. The old homestead became the resi-
dence of his son, the late Colonel Nelson R. White, and after
his removal it was used by the Library Association until the
present building was begun, when it was moved to Library Place,
where it now stands.
Next south stood the residence of Benajah Starr, which was
built by his wife when she was the widow of Rev. Timothy
Langdon. This was afterward the property of ' ' Esquire Booth, ' '
and later the home of Hon. Roger Averill. The building has
been moved and converted into stores, and brick buildings stand
where once the green grass grew beneath the great black- walnut
tree which marked the centre of the town.
Deacon Thomas Tucker lived next in the old house which still
remains quaint and interesting. The "great pear-tree,"
supposed to be over one hundred and fifty years old, stands
beside this old dwelling, which has been for over sixty years the
home of Mrs. George W. Ives.
Next came the residence of Asahel Benedict. The present
homestead of Mrs. Henry Benedict occupies its site.
Block Occupyinu i^nK of thk Avkuilt, Homestead.
The Avertu. IIomestead, 1S50.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 147
Mrs. Hnldah Starr's house followed, standing on the corner
of West Street. The dwelling and land were bought by James
S. Taylor in 1864, and the present block of stores and tenements
erected. The old homestead is among these, but its identity is
entirely lost. There are those who remember well the quaint
old house with its great dooryard, its apple-trees, and long lines
of currant-bushes. They are all gone, with the grand old elms
that once shaded this quiet home.
MAIN STREET FROM LIBERTY TO COURT HOUSE.
Major Seth Comstock, a brother of Dr. Daniel Comstock, lived
in a substantial residence on the corner of Liberty Street. He
was a merchant and had a store just south of his dwelling.
Major Comstock was a man in good circumstances, who once in
his life created quite a sensation in the community. He had a
son Augustus doing business in New Yoi'k City. The son was
to be married and desired a wedding party in his father's house.
He sent word to that effect, directing his father to fix up the
place in the best possible style, and he would make good the
expense.
The major accordingly proceeded to make the homestead into
a wedding bower. Carpenters, painters, and upholsterers were
set to work, and for days the transformation went on. Summer-
houses, arbors, and grottoes were put up in the garden. The
entire front of the house was changed by elaborate additions
placed thereon, and the premises blossomed into the apjpearance
of a small paradise. The place was daily visited by Danbury
people, who were filled with pride and admiration as they viewed
it. Even abroad went the fame of the change, and people from
neighboring towns came to see the Comstock palace. The trans-
formation was all the talk of the day, and supplanted every
other subject.
The wedding was in keeping with the preparation therefor,
and filled the street in the neighborhood with curious people.
Among those who came from out of town was a young man
hailing from the extremely rural district of Redding, below
Bethel. He was barefooted and timid ; he had heard of the
grand house and the beautiful garden, and he wanted so much
to see it that he walked to Danbury for that pui'pose ; but when
he got here and saw how grand was the place he dared not stej)
148 HISTORY OF DANBUKT.
on the premises. More than that, he feared to go on the same
side of the street, but kept on the opposite side. Even at that
he shrunk from stopping in front of the place, so timid was this
rural lad.
That was long over fifty years ago, and the barefooted farm
boy so overcome by the display that he dared not stop in front
of it was the late Charles Hull, who became later the owner of
the property. It reads something like a romance, doesn't it ?
In the place of the residence and store stands a large brick
block, and the old house with its pretty surroundings of green
grass, syiinga bushes, and box hedges, has vanished into the
past.
Rachel Barnum's dwelling came next, and then the residence
of Friend Starr, afterward that of his son, the late Charles F.
Starr. This house was built in 1796, just a century ago, and
stood beneath the shade of a long row of elms that had been
previously planted by Caleb Starr, the father of Friend Starr. Of
these trees, which have been the pride of the town, there is left
to-day but one survivor. This measures twenty feet in circum-
ference, and towers high above the roof of the old dwelling which
stands upon land now held in direct line bj' the sixth generation.
Where now is the Griffing block stood the residence of Zalmon
Wildman, father of the late Frederick S. Wildman. This was
an old-fashioned double house standing close upon the sidewalk,
with an old-time porch and side benches at the front door. Just
north of this old homestead was a small hat-finishing shop, and
on the south a store. The dwelling was removed to East Liberty
Street, where it is used as a tenement.
The Pahquioque Hotel was then a private residence occupied
by Elijah Sanford, wdio had a saddlery at the north end of the
building. Abel B. Blackman lived in the house now known as
the Keeler Homestead. He was a shoemaker, and had his shop
north of the house.
The house of David Foot stood on the site now occupied by
Dr. W. F. Lacey. Mr. Foot was a tailor, and his little shoj)
stood in the southwest comer of his dooryard. If we are not
mistaken, it was later on moved to the rear of the house.
' ' ' Squire Foot' ' was a prominent man in that day, and was for
many years a trying justice of the peace.
Benjamin Smith lived where was the residence of the late
niSTOEY OF DANBTJRY. 149
Samuel Stebbins. His neighbor on the south was Horace Bull,
who lived where now stands St. Peter's Church. The old house
was removed to the since opened Centre Street. Mr. Bull
was a tailor. He was also a noted singer, and for over thirty
years was the chorister of the First Congregational Church. He
was the first milk peddler Danbury had, peddling on the street
from a cart, and ringing a bell at the customer's door. This
was in 1840. Up to that time people bought their milk from
neighbors who owned a cow, sending the children for it ; and at
this time every fourth family had its cow.
A tribute to Mr. Bull's musical talent was a remark Judge
Button, then of the Superior Court, made when in Danbury.
He said : " I heard Mr. Bull ring his bell this morning, and
there was really music in it." Mr. Bull's sales amounted to
about forty quarts a day.
There was no house between his place and what is now the
Turner House. The land lying between and running back
to Town Hill Street was a vacant lot, boggy at the front, with
meadow at the rear. This piece belonged to the First Congrega-
tional Society, and the use of it was given to the pastor.
Joseph Moss White, the father of Colonel E. Moss White,
lived just northeast of the present Court House. This afterward
became the property of G. F. Bailey. Mr. White was a surveyor,
and held a county office as such. From a letter now in the pos-
session of his descendants, written in Danbury on January 15th,
1816, the fiftieth anniversary of his marriage, we quote the
following :
' ' Fifty years this very day we have been united in the nearest
relation which can be found in this world. But two couple that
we certainly know of in the bounds of this whole town that have
lived together so long as we have, viz.: Mr. Jarvis and wife,
and Col. Cooke and wife.
" So near does my dissolution ai^pear that it makes this world
and all the glory of it dwindle much in my view."
SUPPLEMENTARY.
Major Comstock's store was an important centre of business,
aside from its traffic in merchandise. In the day of which we
write there was no bank here, and the only means of exchange
was through the agency of a distant bank. The Phoenix Bank
150 HISTORY OF DANBTJEY.
of Hartford had a branch in Litchfield, and Mr. Comstock was
its agent here. Twice every week the stage plying between
NorAvalk and Litchfield jiassed through Danbury and took up
the money and bills collected by Agent Comstock and carried
them to Litchfield. The major also did a business in iron ore.
This was received from the mines at Brewster, and jiiled on the
ground in the rear of his place.
Where now stands the store long occuj)ied by the late Samuel
Stebbins stood a shoe shop which as early as 1805 was occupied
by Colonel Ebenezer D. Starr.
Friend Starr, previously mentioned, was for twelve years
sheriff of the county. At that time the sheriff was elected by
the Legislature.
Zalmon Wildman was a prominent man in the history of the
town. He was appointed postmaster in 1805, and held the office
for a" period of thirty years, when he resigned the position on
being elected to Congress. This election occurred in the sirring
of 1835. In the \vinter following he died. Mr. Phillips, men-
tioned before, was Mr. Wildman' s deputy, and to him Mr. Wild-
man gave the income from the office.
FROM AVEST TO WOOSTER STREETS.
The first building was a small one and stood on the corner.
Next to it was a'store. Both structures stood where is now the
City Hall. The first was used for varioiis 'purposes. Early in
the century it was used as a comb shop by Green and Barnum
until 1815 ; after that it was occupied by a party named Leggetfc
for fur-cutting. It also was used as a barber shop, a school, and
a stone-cutting shoji. Subsequently William Gray used it as a
tailor shop. It now stands on the Danbury and Norwalk Rail-
w^ay line, opposite the freight depot, where it is occupied as a
tenement.
The store was built by Colonel Timothy Taylor in 1800, who
occuijied it. In 1818 it was rented by Amos and Samuel Steb-
bins, who did business there until 1839, when the building was
torn down. Amos died some years before this, and the business
was conducted by his brother Samiiel. When this place was
removed Mr. Wildman put up the building across the way,
where the late Samuel Stebbins did business until his death.
Next to the store and where is now the ]\Iethodist parsonage
EISTORY OF DANBURY. 151
stood the home of Alanson Hamlin. He was a lawyer. Between
this and where is now Mrs. Amos Stebbins's residence there was
no building. It was an open meadow with a pond at the front.
In 1830 or thereaboiit Thomas T. Whittlesey put up two build-
ings where now stands the Baptist church.
In 1838 it was occupied by Benedict & Nichols, who remained
there iintil 1843. In 1852 they built on the corner of Liberty
Street, which they now own. After they vacated the conference
building it was bought by Judge Homer Peters,* who removed
it to the foot of Liberty Street. The other building was used at
one time for the publication of the Danbury Recorder, and is
still standing.
MAIN STREET — "WEST SIDE.
Where now is the house of Mrs. Amos Stebbins stood at the
beginning of the century one occupied by Dr. Daniel Com-
stock. He was the physician of the village, and a man of
considerable mental attainments. There was an addition to the
house in which, from 1812 to 1815 or thereabout, was published
a paper by Nathaniel Skinner. In the last-named year he re-
moved his office to Bridgeport.
The next house was that of Major Ezra Starr, who distin-
guished himself in the Revolution. It was built on the site of
the one burned by Try on' s troops. In 1830 the property came
* Many years ago Homer Peters with his wife Nancy and three children lived in
a little house on Coalpit Hill. Homer and his wife were both employed at the
" Meeker Hotel," which during court sessions was the resort of the legal fraternity,
and here Homer received the title of " Judge" [after Judge Peters of the Connecti-
cut Bar], by which he was known to the day of his death. After a while he fitted
up a barber shop, and was for years Banbury's " only" barber. He was also the
town " fiddler," and furnished dancing music for all festivities— good music, too,
and in his hands one violin held the music and force of a dozen. His " calling off "
for dances was original, unique, and varied. He would sing direcliona to the tune
he was playing, adding, when words fell short of notes," A tum a turn turn !"
In the house which he bought, at the foot of Liberty Street, he had ice cream for
sale during the summer mouths, and the place was well patronized.
Homer's wit was quick and keen, and could all his stories and apt sayings be
gathered together, they would fill a volume. On one occasion a good lady was
talking to Homer upon the subject of his soul's salvation, and said to him, " Homer,
you know more than most of your race." " Humph !" said Homer, " or yours
either;" which so broke up the lady, who had a keen sense of humor, that the
religious conversation was permanently deferred.
Homer, Nancy, the two daughters and one son are all dead, but there are many
living who remember them well and kindly.
152 HISTORY OF DANBUKT.
into tlie possession of Starr Nichols, who moved back the major's
house and built the one now occupied by Mrs. D. P. Nichols.
Major Starr had a large family, but none of its members have a
residence in Danbury now.
The next dwelling was occupied by Colonel Elias Starr, and is
now the residence of Edmund Allen. The colonel was a teacher,
and his school was in the next building, now a tenement, and
twenty years ago occupied by L. H. Boughton as a shoe store.
There was no other building until near the corner of Wooster
Street, where stood the " Academy," a public school of the
higher order. For many years the lamented Irwin taught there,
and a number of our gray-haired citizens drank in knowledge at
that fountain.
MAIN STREET— EAST SIDE.
The present Court House was built in 1823-24. Its predecessor
was a box-shaped affair of two stories, with a little chunked
cupola on its roof. The first floor was used for some time as a
place of worship for the Universalists, until they built the struc-
ture across the way, that in later years became the church of St.
Peter's parish. In front of the old Court House stood the whip-
ping-post and stocks, and both institutions passed away with
the building. The stocks fell into disuse a long time before the
whipping-post was abolished. Whippings were frequent in the
early days of the century. The punishment was inflicted by
justices' decisions as well as by court decrees, although much
lighter in the former cases. The whipping was generally done
by the deputy sheriff. The late Aaron Seeley and Samuel Wild-
man, as deputy sheriffs, and Levi Starr, as constable, presided
at the post.
The last known case of whipping in this section was in Brook-
field. The victim was a Danbury man. There was a reunion in
Brookfield of the veterans of the War of 1812-14, and the attend-
ance from neighboring towns was quite large. The village store,
which sold New England rum as well as other groceries, was
doing an immense business. There were two openings in the
counter above the money-drawer, one for silver and the other
for bills. When the money was received it was put through
these openings. The Danbury man (whose name it is not neces-
sary to mention) lounged about on the counter, a most innocent-
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 153
looking party. He had in his possession a bit of stick with tar
on the end of it. When the merchant and his assistants ran to
the door to look at the doings outside, he would push the stick
down into the opening for bills, and by the help of the adhesive
tar would draw up one.
At night the merchant discovered the loss. The Danbury man
who had lounged on the counter was suspected. He was fol-
lowed to Danbury, arrested, and the money with tar marks
found in his possession. He was taken to Brookfield, confessed
his crime, and was publicly and severely whipped.
The Court House was first used for elections in 1820. Pre-
vious to that time they were held in the church of the First
Congregational Society at the foot of West Street. The assem-
blages on elections in that time were much different from those
of to-day, the difference being decidedly in favor of our fore-
fathers. The meeting was opened with prayer. The people
were quiet and orderly, and ticket peddling, lobbying, and loud-
voiced discussions were unknown then. What was called the
stand-up ballot prevailed in that day in voting for legislative
bodies. The Federalists occupied one side of the house and the
Republicans the other. On a candidate being announced those
in his favor rose and were counted. Then the opposition can-
didate was given, and those who favored him arose and were
counted. The result was then summed up and announced, and
the election proceeded to the next office.
Colonel Joseph Piatt Cooke was a Federalist of a pronounced
tyi^e, and a man of pronounced opinion on any subject he
espoused. He could not endure opposition. It is related of
him on one occasion where he presided at an electors' meeting,
that, the opposition candidate receiving a majority of the vote,
the old gentleman put on his cocked hat and stalked angrily
out of the building, leaving the meeting to take care of itself.
In 1818 the ' ' stand-up' ' vote was repealed.
MAIN STREET — WEST SIDE.
The present handsome jail building was erected in 1872. Its
predecessor was of stone, and was built in 1830. The building
before that was a frame structure with barred windows, out of
which a modern housebreaker would have made his exit in less
than no time. There was no building between the jail and the
154 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
present estate of the late Aaron Seeley. The " saddle factory"
was not bnilt until 1836. It was occupied by Elias S. Sanford
and William B. Fry in the manufacture of saddles and harness.
The firm had a store in New Orleans. The manufacture was
carried on for about four years, when the failure of the firm
broke up the business. In 1840 or thereabouts Stone & Wad-
hems rented the front of the building for a store, and remained
there three or four years. James S. Taylor and his brother
Granville did business there after that, and when they left the
building became a tenement. Several years ago the greater part
of it was destroyed by fire.
The store on the Seeley estate stood where is now the resi-
dence. It was at one time occupied by Amos and Samuel Steb-
bins. Next to that was a tavern built of brick. It is now the
residence of Miss Helen Meeker. The tavern was built by Major
Whiting at the close of the last century. Henry S. Whiting, a
son of the builder, kept the tavern until 1816 or thereabouts,
when the late Aaron Seeley became its host, and remained in
charge some fourteen years. The hotel was a popular resort,
and a stopping-place for the stages that ran from New York to
Litchfield. In those days its capacious yard and stabling were
the scene of much activity. Henry Whiting went to Herldmer,
N. Y., from Danbury, engaged there in the tavern business, and
died there. There is none of the family in Danbury.
The house next to the tavern, and now known as the Bedient
Place, was until 1830 occupied by two brothers, Darius and John
Starr.
The next building was occupied by Nathaniel Wood, who was
a shoemaker, and had a shop in his yard.
Just north of William H. Clark's residence, and on his prop-
erty, is a brick dwelling which was built by Fairchild Wildman,
who kept a store there for many years, and it was also occupied
by Warden Clark and Nelson Crane for this purpose. In 1865
it was converted into a dwelling.
On its site stood a building owned by Zachariah Griswold,
who occulted it about 1820 for a suspender manufactory. It
was not a successful venture, altliough Mr. Griswold did quite
a business at one time.
The present residence of Mr. Clark dates back from the last
century. At one time in the last decade of the eighteenth cen-
HISTORY OF DANBUEY. 155
tury a room in it was iised as the oflBce of the village pajier, the
Repiiblican Farmer, published by Stiles Nichols, and the build-
ing itself was the dwelling of one of the projjrietors. Mr. Clark
retains a door in which are the nails that held the various prints
which it was once customary to tack on the printing-ofBce door.
For many years the place belonged to Hiram Barnes, the famous
stage man, and from its gates his four-in-hands have gallantly
trotted, to the great delight of the village youth.
The house now occupied by Representative Charles H. Hoyt
was long the residence of Everett Ames, grandfather of Mrs.
Hoyt. At the beginning of the century it was occupied by
Joshua Benedict, who was a saddle manufacturer, and made
saddles in the building. Afterward it was the residence of Sam-
uel Jennings. Next on the south was Dr. Daniel N. Carring-
ton, who was a prominent citizen and was several times sent to
the Legislature.
David Wood owned the house next. Eighty years ago it was
a tavern under his management. He subsequently kept the
tavern where now stands the Turner House. Next to his place
were the dwelling and hat factory of Ezra Wildman. Next was
the dwelling of Miss Ann Bennett.
Following it came the residence of Eliakim Peck, which still
stands. Mr. Peck was a blacksmith, and his shop stood on the
corner where is now the old Episcopal church tenement. He
was a strong Episcopalian, a man of marked hospitable traits,
and his shop and home were the resort of people fond of enter-
tainment and given to discussion. In those days there were
no iires in churches, and the worshippers in the Episcopal church
(then on South Street) used to go to Mr. Peck's home Sundays,
between service, to get warm.
MAIlSr STREET— EAST SIDE.
We left the east side at the Court House. The first buUding
on the south was the dwelling of Jesse Skellinger. He had a
carriage shop next to it. The place was subsequently occupied
by John Rider.
Next to it was a small building owned and occupied as a
silversmith shop by John S. Blackman, father of F. S. Black-
man, who conducted the same business until a few years ago.
The senior' s wares were of the genuine metal, and many of the
156 HISTOKY OF DANBURY.
spoons lie sold sixty years ago with his name upon them are now
in the possession of our older families.
Then came the residence of Matthew B. Whittlesey, father of
the late E. B. Whittlesey. The dwelling next was the property
of E. S. Sanford, the tanner, who had a shoe shop there.
Next came a dwelling whose occupant's name we do not know.
It still stands.
Captain John Rider lived where now George St. John resides.
Samuel Wildman and Fairchild, his son, lived in the house now
occupied by Mrs. Samuel C. Wildman. The store and dwelling
of John Dodd came next.
Following this was the house of Epaphras W. Bull, a promis-
ing young lawyer, who went to Ohio in 1810, to grow up with
the great West, and shortly after died there. The house was
later owned by Curtis Clark. Captain James Clark owned a
small dwelling next south.
Following this was the residence of Philo Calhoun, father of
the president of the Fourth National Bank in New York City.
Next came the McLean house, which was built just after the
Revolutionary War near the site of the one destroyed at the
burning of Danbury, and was for many years occupied by Mr.
McLean and his descendants. At the time of the conflagra-
tion some Continental money buried upon the grounds was
scorched by the heat. These bills were known for many years
as " the McLean money." It was said by Colonel Moss White
that "John McLean could walk from Ridgefield to Newtown
without stepping off of his own land." The old knocker which
was on the front door was of English make, and probably
brought from Scotland. It is now on the door of the residence
of the late Horace Marsliall, opposite Elmwood Park. The -nafe
of John McLean was Deborah Adams, of the family of John and
John Quincy Adams. Lilly McLean, their daughter, married
William Chappell, and their family occupied the house for many
years.
Mr. Chappell was a great-great-grandson of William ChappeU,
tutor of John Milton, who left that position to take the provost-
ship of Dublin University, and was afterward made Bishop of
Cork. His son, president of Dublin University, came to this
country with. Bishop Berkeley. They started for the Bermudas,
but were blown astray and landed in Rhode Island, with the
HISTORY OF DANBtJRY. 157
intention of founding there a college, but funds from England
were not forthcoming, and Mr. Chappell went to New London,
where many of his descendants remain. Afterward he went to
New Haven, wliere he married Patience Ogden, a descend-
ant of Parson Ogden, and she died in Danbury.
On the corner of South Street, in the yard of the house occu-
pied by the late Charles Eider, stood, fifty or more years ago, a
store kept by a man named Griswold. It was burned and not
rebuilt.
SOUTH STREET — SOUTH SIDE.
The most prominent house then on the street, because directly
facing Main Street, was the residence of Daniel Taylor. The
house was built soon after the bui'ning of Danbury, on the site
of the one then destroyed, and has changed but little in the past
century. Mr. Taylor was a hatter.
The dwelling of Eliakim Benedict came next, and is still
standing. Two small dwellings followed, but by whom occupied
we do not know. Adjoining was the home of E. S. Griffin, who
died at an advanced age not many years ago.
West of Samuel Brunker's place was the dwelling of Comfort
Hoyt, who was a farmer. Beyond that was meadow land until
where is now the home of Mrs. A. N. Sharp. Then stood the
residence of Walter Dibble, farmer.
On the corner of the street leading to Coalpit Hill was a
house occupied by Thomas Flynn. Next came the home of
Harry Taylor, who was a farmer.
His next neighbor was Lemuel Taylor, and next to him was
Joel Stone, who did not appear to have any particular occupa-
tion, but at one time carried the mail between Danbury and New
Haven.
NORTH SIDE— GOING WEST.
Captain Ezra Dibble lived where is now the residence of Joseph
Bates. He was grandfather to Miss Mary Bull. He was a large
farmer, and owned nearly aU the land in that neighborhood.
He was noted for his generous help of the needy.
There was no other house until the place of Amos Hoyt was
reached. He was a tanner, shoemaker, and deacon. The home-
stead of the late Ira Morse was then occupied by Captain Peter
158 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Starr, grandfather of Mrs. Morse. He was a blacksmith and a
prominent citizen of that day.
East of Captain Starr's place was the residence (since remov^ed)
of Daniel Frost. The old Dibble house came next. It was
built before the Revolution, and became famous in local history
as the house where Wooster died. Next came the home of
William Chappell.
No other building occupied the interval between his place and
the old Episcopal church, which stood in the west end of the
present graveyard, which was its churchyard. The South Centre
District school stood close by, as at present.
In the time of which w^e write To^vti Hill Avenue had but
three houses. It was not an avenue then, but simply a lane,
running around from Liberty Street as it does now, and connect-
ing with South Street. It was then commonly known as " Nig-
gers' Lane," although the hill itself bore its present name.
Why it was called Toion Hill we do not know. Perhaps because
there was no town on it, nor any likely to be.
One of the three houses was owned and occupied by Agur
Hoyt, father-in-law of the late venerable Amos Morris. He
lived on the east side of the street.
There was a low-browed house across the way which was
occupied by Aunt Liz Henry. Aunt Liz was an aged maiden of
decrepit form, po^uilarly supposed to be a witch, although no
more direct evidence of this than mere surmise, hatched from
the brain of the superstitious, was ever laid at her dingy door.
Near to where Turner Street now intersects Town Hill Avenue
stood a building occupied by a negro named Peter Stockbridge.
It is remarkable what a great matter a little fire kindleth. As
near as we can get at it the name of the lane came from this
single family of colored people.
There were no more buildings until the foot of Liberty Street
was reached. There, where is now Railway Avenue, stood the
extensive tannery of Starr & Sanford. The business of the
tanner, like that of the fuller, has concentrated at prominent
centres since that day. Then tanneries and fulling shops were
distributed throughout the land, Danbury having several of
each. The Starr & Sanford tannery, with its vats and bark
buildings, extended almost to the present railway track.
The only dwelling then on Liberty Street was occupied by
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 159
Mrs. Betsey Starr, widow of Colonel Ebenezer Dibble Starr, who
was a shoemaker. He died in 1816. The house stood on the
site of the present residence of the Misses Rockwell.
WEST STREET — NORTH SIDE.
The first house was the dwelling of Elijah Gregory, where
now is the rectory of St. James's Church. He was a blacksmith,
and had his shop in one corner of the yard. Mr. Gregory was
a somewhat prominent man, and was sent to the Legislature.
The house was a large frame building, and now stands on George
Street, where it has become a tenement.
The next house was that in which John Fry lived, and where
now stands Dr. W. H. Rider's residence. He was a hat manu-
facturer, and had his shop on the premises. Prior to his occu-
pancy Benedict Gregory owned the premises. This was in 1812.
In 1827 Fry, Gregory & Co. occupied the shop. After this Mr.
Gregory went to Dayton, O., where he died. Ohio, and espe-
cially Dayton, called away a number of people from Danbury
in the first years of the present century.
Next came the place of Ezra Gregory, grandfather of Mr.
L. P. Hoyt. He lived where Mrs. C H. Reed now does, and
had a small tannery in the rear of his house. He was a shoe-
maker.
Next to him was the home of Uncle Matthew Gregory, now
occupied by the family of the late Ephraim Gregory. He was
a farmer. Between the two places is now New Street. This
street was opened mainly through the exertions of Thomas T.
Whittlesey, and it was named after him, but the name was sub-
sequently changed by a borough meeting.
Nathan Gregory lived where is now the large double house
owned by the estate of Charles Benedict. He was a fuller of
cloth, and the buildings used for that purpose stood on the
premises. The manufacture of cloth in those days was strictly
a domestic industry. The wool or flax (linen) was bought of the
stores. The housewife spun it into threads on her spinning-
wheels. It was then woven into cloth, and after that taken to
the fuller, who dressed and colored it. The process was some-
thing similar to the making of rag carpets in a later day. There
are fine linen sheets preserved in Danbury to-day which were
made from the flax ninety years ago.
160 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Rev. Israel Ward owned the place occupied by the late Ira
Dibble. He was the pastor of the First Congregational Church,
and lies buried in the Wooster Cemetery. He died in 1810.
After his death the house, which was built before the Eevolu-
tion, passed into the possession of Samuel Dibble, whose grand-
daughters occupy it to-day. He was a miller, and his first mill
was on Main Sti'eet. His second and last mill stood where is
now White's fur factory, on Beaver Street. Mr. Dibble was
"always noted for taking honest toll." In those days people
got their flour principally from the mills, buying or raising the
grain and giving a portion of it to the miller for grinding. Rye
flour was the staple, although corn meal was considerably used.
Benjamin Knapp, who figured as a caterer to several of Try on' s
oflicers, was remarkably fond of Indian meal, and it was said of
him that a pudding of that meal graced his dinner-table every
day in the year. AVheat was not a common grain then, and its
flour was used principally for pie-crust and the finer grades of
pastry.
The remaining house on that side of the street was occupied
by Caleb Starr, grandfather of Charles P. Starr and Mrs. F. S.
Wildman. His house stood just west of Harmony Street, on
West. He was a farmer, and owned a great deal of land.
SOUTH SIDE.
Colonel Taylor, merchant, lived where stands the residence
of the late F. S. Wildman in a story and a half house, of
double pattern, with a long, sloping roof. Subsequently the
house passed into the possession of Seymour Wildman, uncle
of Frederick. The latter tore it down in 1842 and built
the present place. Before this the old house was occupied
by several families. Judge Reuben Booth lived there at one
time, and Miss Eunice Seeley kept a school there for young
women. She subsequently moved to Rochester, where she died.
There was no other house until that of Andrew Beers was
reached, which stood on the site of the j)resent residence of Mrs.
Charles Hull. Mr. Beers was a delver in astronomy and a prom-
inent cultivator of weather. For several years he prepared an
acceptable almanac, which had a circulation throughout the
United States. "Andi-ew Beers (Philom.) " was a familiar address
to many families. His almanac was the origin of the " Middle-
* l\
.T , -^--•|r*"iij'"'°|5-'.i
ra: ^ \ '■'1 vJ'^^fe'* ....V 'is «3
llllillllll.llll ||||ll|!!|| p^ llltiillill ili!illlllllillllllilllinnn.\l
^l«fe:^^i^
Caleb Staub Uu.mkstead, West St.
Dibble Homestead, West St.
Built Before the Revolution.
HISTORY OF DANBUET. 161
brooks." A remark attributed to liim and in general currency-
seventy years ago was that " grass wouldn't start to grow until
thunder shook the earth."
Mr. Beers lies buried in the old Eijiscopal churchyard in South
Street. The following inscription is on his headstone :
" in memory of
Andrew Beers, Esq.,
Bom in Newtown,
August 10, 1749,
Died in Danbury,
Sept. 20, 1824,
75 years, 1 month.
" ' Life and the grave
Two different lessons give —
Life teaclies how to die,
Death how to live.' "
The next house was that of Joseph Benedict, who was a tailor.
It was moved back on George Street, where it still stands.
Next came the dwelling of Joseph Hoyt Gregory, who was a
hatter, and had his factory by his house. He moved to Indiana
in 18.30, and there died.
Farther on, and where now stands the homestead of the late
L. Wildman, lived Abial Phillips. Samuel Dibble lived there
before he bought the Ward place. The house was removed years
ago. Division Street was then an oi^en road, containing no
dwellings.
The last house on West Street stands there now, close to the
pond. Sixty years ago it was occupied by Ezra Boughton. It
now belongs to Mr. A. M. White. Mr. Boughton was a dresser
of cloth, and had his works by his home.
The only house in the entire length of Deer Hill was occupied
by Munson Gregory. It stood where E. A. Housman now lives,
and was torn down some years ago. Rev. William Andrews
lived here during his pastorate of the First Church.
Wooster Street was not considered a street, but a road. It
had no house until that of Eli Jarvis was reached. Nearly
opposite lived Eli Wildman, a farmer.
Lovers' Lane contained one house, a small one. It stood near
162 HISTOEY OF DANBURY.
to where is now Beacli Wilson's place. Lovers' Lane was a
popular name for this road many years ago, and everybody in
Danbury knew of it. As late as twenty years ago a good part
of it was shaded by overhanging branches. It is not now
a walk for the sentimental, and perhaps not more than half of
our citizens know where it is.
The house now owned by Mrs. B. Crofut, on the Mountain-
ville Road, was in that day occupied by Benjamin Griffin.
There were but three houses on White Street, and no dwell-
ings on the north side of the street, unless we count the place of
Mr. Knapp, corner of Main Street. On the south side the first
house was owned by Abel B. Gregory, who was a farmer.
Next came the large house of Noah Knapp, son of Benjamin
Knapp. It is supposed to have been built on the close of the
war, if not before it. Noah was a farmer.
There was no other dwelling on the road until where is now
Nursery Avenue. A large dwelling, the property of Zalmon
Wildman, father of Frederick S., stood there.
ELM STREET.
At the east end of this street, on the north side, the first house
was the dwelling of Zelotes Robinson. He was a butcher, and
began the peddling business with a wheelbarrow. He was among
the first peddlers of meat in Danbury. Alvin Hurd also lived
there. He was a hat manufacturer. Mr. Hurd's factory stood
on the river.
On the corner of River Street was the next house. It was
occupied by Dorastus Green, a laborer.
On the south side there were but two buildings. One of
these was the dwelling of Rory Starr, father of the late George
Starr. The other was his shop, and is now Daniel Starr's box
shop. Mr. Starr was a builder, and a very extensive one, too.
He did most of the building in those days, when houses with
their gable ends to the street began to make their appearance
here. Many of our older substantial residences were constructed
by Mr. Starr, the most conspicuous being the residence of Fred-
erick S. Wildman, which we believe was the last he put up.
Mr. Starr was elected to the Legislature, serving in both the
House and Senate. He was a Methodist, and an active member
of the local church.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 163
ELM STREET.
That portion of Elm Street which runs over Eabbit Hill con-
tained but four houses. These were small, and it is not known
who occupied them. Two of them were tenements belonging to
Colonel Russell White.
In one of these houses lived a man who was noted in the vil-
lage as shiftless and improvident. He was a wagoner by profes-
sion, but scarcely by practice. His wife was entirely opposite-
in nature. She was both industrious and fnrgal, and, like such
people, had an ambition. Hers was to have a home of her own,
or a homestead, as she termed it. Her want was frequently, if
not daily, presented to her husband. Finally, becoming im-
patient with her demand, he told her one day, "My dear, I
would get you a homestead in a minute if I had anywhere to
put it." This covered the subject completely, and the poor
woman never again put in her petition for a homestead.
Rabbit Hill was thus called because its gravel pits and clumps
of brush were the home of that animal. Gallows Hill is the
mass of rock at the head of the street, near the pond.
RIVER STREET.
The classical name of River Street in the early days of the
town's history was Pumpkin Ground. The hill which skirts its
west side was in spots devoted to the culture of that plain-look-
ing but excellent vegetable.
River Street was a mere lane, and ran to the east of its present
location. Dorastus Green's house, which stood on the corner of
Elm, had a well within eight feet of the front door. The present
roadway now covers the well. Rabbit Hill was so steep in that
day that a half cord of wood was about all a team could haul up
it. Mr. Green's house sat perched upon a high bank. The
street was opened by Colonel Russell White for the convenience
of his factory business. A good part of the hill on the west side
belonged to Rory Starr.
Richard Lovelace, who was a miller, lived opposite S. C. Holly
& Co. 's factory. The house still stands.
Next to him lived William Earle. His place also remains.
There were but two more houses. One of them was occupied by
Jonathan Leggett, a fur-cutter. The other was the dwelling of
164 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Sergeant Joseph Moore. Both, yet remain. At the farther end
of the street, near White's factories, lived Anthony Buxton.
BEAVER STREET.
There were but two houses on this street (which is popularly
known as Rose Hill). One of these was occupied by Ephraim
Benedict.
Lower down the hill lived Samuel Curtis. His house has been
gone for years. He was for a long time sexton of the First
Church, and was known to the young and old of his day as
simply " Sam.''
NORTH STREET.
There were but two houses on North Street eighty years ago.
One of these was the property of Ezra Barnum, a farmer. The
second house was a small building, since removed, which stood
on Mrs. Benedict's lot. At a later day, seventy years ago or
thereabouts, there was a hat factory on the street. It stood
near the bridge, on the north side.
FRAISTKLIjy STREET.
There was but one house on the north side of this now pretty,
well-built-up street. This was the dwelling of Stephen Gregory.
On the south side the first house was that on the corner of Rose
Street ; in the rear stood the Methodist meeting-house of that
day. George Lovelace lived next. The third and last house on
that side was occupied by Darius Barnum.
CHAPTER XXVII.
FROM 1820 TO 1840.
In 1822 the first Universalist service was held in this town at
the house of one of that faith in the district of Great Plain.
In 1824 the bank now known as the Danbury National Bank
was established. It was organized under the laws of the State.
In 1829 the first fire companies were organized. This was the
beginning of the Danbury Fire Department. Previous to this
fires were fought by a bucket brigade. A line of citizens was
formed extending from the nearest water supply to the fire,
and a filled bucket was passed from one citizen to another along
the line until it reached the fire, when it was thrown thereon.
One bucket followed another in rapid succession, the empty
buckets being passed back by a second line of men.
At the census of 1830 Danbury showed a population of 4311.
In this year a project to build a canal from tide- water at West-
port to Danbury was agitated, and a survey was made, but the
project failed.
In 1834 pipe-water was first introduced in Danbury. The
supply came from Tweedy's Spring, in the hill-side at the north
end of Main Street. This was a private enterprise, called the
Wooster Water Company.
In 1835 a second attempt to get closer communication -with
tide- water was made. This scheme was to build a horse rail-
road from Danbury to Norwalk ; but, like the canal enterprise,
it failed to carrJ^ A survey was made following somewhat the
line of the present steam railway.
In 1838 the first Catholic church service was held in Danbury.
Prior to the incorporation of the borough of Danbury, the
township of Danbury was divided into and governed by two
ecclesiastical societies. One was called the "old" society.
This embraced in its territory that portion of the township now
known as the town of Danbury. The other was called the
166 HISTORY OF DANBUKY.
"new" society, and took in the territory now called Bethel.
Both were under the same town government. In 1855 the mem-
bers of the latter society petitioned the legislature to be set oflE
from Danbury as a separate town. The petition was granted.
In 1869 the upper portion of what is called Grassy Plain Street,
in the southern part of this town, was set off to the town of
Bethel.
In the last century slavery existed in this county, and there
were slaves in Danbury. It will be remembered by the reader
that one of the killed in the British raid upon this place was a
negro slave. In the papers printed here between 1790 and 1800
occasional advertisements appear offering rewards for the recov-
ery of runaway slaves, and on several occasions a slave was
offered for sale.
Along in 1830 began the anti-slavery or abolition crusade in
organized form. In the autumn of 1838 there was quite an ex-
citement in this part of the county in consequence of the effort
made to organize anti-slavery societies. Dr. Erastus Hudson
and Rev. Nathaniel Colver were appointed agents by the Con-
necticut Anti-Slavery Society to evangelize the State, and in
October came into this county on that mission. They lectured
in many towns, in most of which their meetings were disturbed,
and in some cases broken up by mob violence.
In Danbury their meetings were held in the Baptist church,
then standing on West Wooster Street, near Deer Hill Avenue.
Danbury at that time was largely engaged in the Southern hat
trade, and we can easily see why there was so much opposition
against the efforts made to form anti-slavery, or, as they were
usually denominated, abolition societies here. It would not
answer to have our Southern brethren know that societies were
forming here to act against their " divine institution."
While Mr. Colver was delivering his lecture, an attack was
made upon the church, stones were freely thrown, windows
broken, and Mr. Colver narrowly escaped personal injury.
Prom persons present at that affair we gather the following
information : About the hour for the commencement of the lec-
ture the sound of a trumpet was heard near the Court House,
when immediately the streets were filled with men coming from
every direction, who proceeded at once to the Baptist church
and interrupted the service, but Mr. Colver proceeded and fin-
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 167
ished his lecture. After the services were concluded the speaker
was escorted by two constables to a wagon and taken to the
house of Rev. E. C Ambler. The house was surrounded by a
noisy crowd, but no violence was offered.
April 10th, 1839, the Society met in the Court House at Dan-
bury, and was called to order by Isaac Crofut, vice-president.
Delegates were present from Brookfield, Danbury, New Fair-
field, Newtown, Sherman, Weston, and the Zoar Societies. Sev-
eral strong resolutions were read, debated, and adopted. The
convention provided for the publication of its proceedings in
the Charter Oak, of Hartford, and the Danbury Times, and
appointed Charles Fairman as a delegate to the anniversary of
the American Anti-Slavery Society to be held in New York
City.
FROM 1840 TO 1860.
At the taking of the census in 1840 the population was shown
to be 4504.
Municipally the chief event in the two decades was the intro-
duction of illuminating gas, the organization of a hook and
ladder company, and the inception of the project to introduce
public water. Other important events were the dedication of
the Wooster Monument, organization of the Wooster Cemetery
Association, establishment of the Danbury Savings Bank, com-
pletion of the Danbury and Norwalk Railway, establishment of
the Pahquioque Bank, organization of the Wooster Light Guards
(the first company in the State to respond to the call for troops
to fight the Rebellion), and the building of churches — viz., the
Disciples, Second Congregational, Episcopalian, Baptist, Uni-
versalist, Methodist, and First Congregational. These latter
are treated at length in the chapters devoted to the histories of
the several societies.
Hluminating gas was introduced in 1857 by a stock company.
There was considerable work done before the proposition took
with our people who had money to invest, but once fairly
started, investors came in, and the company was organized. The
Danbury Times, under date of March 10th, 1857, says of the
enterprise :
" Within the past week, without any extra effort, the stock
of the ' Danbury Gas Light Company ' has all been taken, and
168 HISTORY OF DANBUKY.
the success of the project seems to be placed beyond the shade
of a doubt. The energy which has thus far characterized this
movement encourages the belief that we have entered upon an
era destined to be marked by a more speedy realization of ideas
of a practical character than has hitherto been the case.
" The spirit and activity displayed by our mercantile com-
munity, in availing themselves of every facility to render this a
most desirable and profitable market to the purchaser, will re-
ceive a new impulse by the introduction of gaslight, under
which the taste and liberality exhibited in the selection of their
wares may be seen and appreciated ; but their necessities in this
respect are not alone to be taken into consideration.
' ' In connection with the call for more light from our manu-
factories, the efforts which have recently been made to secure a
safe and permanent light from lesser expedients, in private resi-
dences, indicates that the ' Gas Company ' should commence
operations at as early a day as possible, that the period between
anticipation and reality may be endured with some degree of
composure."
It will be noted that nothing is said in the above of street
lighting as a need of the hour and a source of revenue to the
company. It is likely the incorporators had this in view ; but
it was three years later before the borough voted to use gas to
light the streets.
The incorporators of the enterprise were Frederick L. Wild-
man, George W. Ives, E. S. Tweedy, Henry Benedict, NeUon
L. WJute, George Hull, D. P. Nichols, William R. White,
WiUiam H. Clark, Augustus Wildman, I. W. Ives.
Henry Benedict was chosen president, and I. W. Ives clerk
and treasurer. The names in italics are those who were made
directors.
In the fall of 1860 twelve street gas-lamps were ordered by the
borough. They were located as follows : Corner of North and
Main streets ; corner Franklin and Main ; corner White and
Main ; corner Main and Liberty ; north end of the park, south
end of the park ; corner Deer Hill and West ; corner Elm and
River ; corner of Liberty and Railroad Avenue ; front of the resi-
dence of Mrs. Botsford (now J. W. Bacon's); lower end of gas
main ; on Main, equal distance between Elm and Franklin.
On April 13th, 1887, the Legislature passed an act changing
Pahquioque Hotei
wooster iiouse.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 169
the name of the company to the Danbury and Bethel Gas and
Electric Light Company. In December of the same year the
capital of the company was increased to $200,000. In May, 1888,
the company purchased the plant of the Danbnry Schiiyler
Electi-ic Light Company, and in the latter part of the same year
changed the process of making gas to the one now in use. There
are one hundred and nineteen street electric lights in the city of
to-day.
In the fall of 18.54 E. B. Stevens, then a well-known citizen of
Danbury, removed to Illinois. He was born and reared in Pem-
broke District. In his early manhood he was associated with
Peter Rowan in the mason business. The foundation of the
Wooster House and that of the Danbnry and Norwalk railway
station were laid by them, also the foundation for the "Wooster
Monument in the Wooster Cemetery. The stone for the monu-
ment was received at the station on April 17th in a snow-storm,
Avhich continued the next day, and was so severe that the work
u]Don the foundation was delayed for several days.
At the time Mr. Stevens left Danbnry, North Street, from the
residence of the late Peter Rowan to the corner of Main Street,
contained but two dwellings ; from the corner of Main and North
streets to Patch Street there were but three houses, one on the
east side and two on the west. From Patch Street to " Addis's
Store' ' there were three houses on the east side and two on the
west. On the corner of Franklin Street was a hat shop, then
known as Tweedy's linishing shop.
Messrs. Stebbins & Wildman, hatters, occupied a shop on Elm
Street, corner of River. William Montgomery carried on hatting
in a shop at the corner of Montgomery and West streets.
White's fur shop was in operation at the present site on Beaver
Street, but on a much smaller scale. Starr & Crofut were millers,
and occupied a mill where now stands the factory of Peter Rob-
inson & Sons.
The old Pahquioque Hotel was doing duty, and was considered
the place, though the Turner and Wooster Houses somewhat
eclipsed its glory and took a share of the patronage.
White Street was then known as Barren Plain Road. Where
now the substantial iron bridge sjjans the river was then a low,
wooden structure, by the side of which was a crossing where
people were accustomed to drive to water their horses or oxen.
170 HISTORY OF DANBUET.
Alders bordered the river, fishing was fair, and it was a fine
l^lace for boys to bathe.
The old Bell place, removed to make place for the lumber yard
of Osborn Brothers, was the first house east of Main Street.
The Osbornite church stood nearly opposite the New England
Hotel. The Methodist church was on the site of the present
Disciples' church on Liberty Street. The Universalist church
was at the corner of Main and Wooster streets. The First Con-
gregational church stood where now is the Soldiers' Moniinient.
The Baptist church until 1848 was on the corner of Deer Hill
Avenue and Wooster Street.
On the Ban-en Plain Road there were but two houses from
the Osbornite church to Beaver Brook, the residence of Deacon
John Beard and the old Sturdevant place. Only two or three
houses were located on Town Hill. On South Street, east from
Main, there were but three dwellings. On West Street, from
Main Street to the river, were not more than a half dozen
houses.
Where now are Balmforth and Maple avenues, with their many
beautiful residences, there was but meadow and pasture-land,
seldom visited except on " training days."
The business centre of the town was then considered to lie
between West Street and the Court House. All has been
changed, and but few old landmarks are recognized.
It may not be amiss to mention here two local poets of Dan-
bury, whose writings ai'e found scattered along through the files
of the Danbury Times from 1840 to 1860 and still later. These
were James W. Nichols and H. B. Wildman, both of Great Plain
District.
James White Nichols, son of Ebenezer Nichols, was born
October 15th, 1809, in the same room in which he died on Sep-
tember 17th, 1875.
The following is taken from his note-book, now in possession
of his widow :
December 20, 1863.
During the past autumn I received a visit from my dear and
only brother, William Nichols, of Cooperstown, N. Y. On re-
tiring to rest, as I accompanied him into his room, he said to
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 171
me, " James, draw up tlie curtain of tlie east window, so that
I can see the sun rise as I used to in the days of my boyhood.
I always loved to see it, and I want to behold it again on the
morrow." I accordingly drew up the curtain to the upper panes
and retired. The following morning the sun rose clear and
beautiful, and my brother expressed great satisfaction at the
sight, saying he enjoyed it greatly. Upon his simple request I
wrote the following lines. My brother was then in his seventy-
seventh year.
RAISE THE CURTAIN FOR ME. BROTHER.
Raise the curtain for me, brother,
Let my eyes hr.ve one more feast,
And my heart enjoy another
Sunrise in the golden east.
In the room witli infant wonder
Where I lirst beheld the light.
I would once more gaze and ponder
On the glad and glorious sight.
Raise the curtain for me, brother,
Let me look tomorrow morn
From this parlor where my mother
Alwa3's told me I was born.
'Twas to me a heartfelt pleasure
When in youth's outgushing thrill,
Now 'tis age's unfading treasure
To behold that glory still.
Raise the curtain for me, brother,
Shut out from the inner sight
Every gleam from every other,
But let this be clear and bright —
Daylight of the coming morrow.
Trembling through each crystal pane —
Never yet a sight of sorrow
I would see its flush again.
Raise the curtain for me, brother.
Who can tell if yet there be.
On life's highway such another
Blessed sight for me to see.
Yes ; I'll mark with joy unfailing
All its golden tints unfold.
For the shadows graveward trailing
Tell me I am growing old.
In quite another vein are the next verses, evidently written
out of the fulness of his heart :
172 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
THAT AWFUL OLD HAT.
Addressed to an Excellent Lady.
I've had such a blowing, dear Mary ! I never
Had one so astounding and fearful ; that's flat :
'Tis plain I must eschew the ladies forever,
Or wear a more trim and respectable hat—
A hat that is newer, and holes in it fewer,
A more prepossessing and elegant hat.
In vain to the pleadings I stuck a rejoinder,
" I'd no thought of walking so tar," and all that ;
In the place of a blessing I got a side winder.
In walking abroad in that ugly old liat.
With brim that was shattered aud crown sadly battered.
That awful old, dreadful old plug of a hat.
" If you can't appear better when out with the ladies.
If you haven't a little pride left about dress.
You'd better ship oS to Sahara or Cadiz,
And dwell among Arabs or pagan Chinese ;"
And plainly thus speaking, I got a sound breaking
Of wearing abroad such a wretched old hat.
I'd no thought of hurting an animate being.
Or care if the nation knew what I was at.
But this didn't hinder a sharp eye from seeing
I'd gone through the gate in that rusty old hat,
Which to wear was a pity, with friends from the city,
A shame to be seen in that nasty old hat.
No cow of a cooper was ever more honest
Than I was In even suspecting a spat,
But now I can see I was very near non est
In acting the beau in that terrible hat —
That mildewed and musted, begrimed and bedusted,
,; That clownish and awful distressed old hat.
Let this, then, be wrote in a book of instruction
To husbands who walk out for sociable chat,
How little they think what a startling deduction
Their angels can make of an old-fashioned hat ;
And sunny or shady, to walk with a lady,
Beware how they sport in a shocking bad hat.
And now if I'm ever again with you going.
So long as I stay above Res-qui-es-cat,
In plain daily costume, to save me a blowing,
Do make some objections — at least to the hat ;
Or else with a squinting, be openly hinting.
You can't walk beside so outlandish a hat.
■1858. J. W. Nichols.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 173
H. B. Wildman, also of Great Plain, wrote the following ode,
wMch was sung at the dedication of the Wooster Monument :
ODE FOR THE WOOSTER MONUMENT CELEBRATION, APRIL 37, 1854.
Air, " Bonaparte's Grave."
Awake ! Freemen, wake 1 Lo, the bright star of glory
Is melting the shades of oblivion's gloom ;
The fame of our Wooster, so matchless in story.
Is bidding us rouse like a voice from the tomb.
His spirit hath gone, and his soul hath ascended,
His form now lies low in the dust of the plain ;
" He sleeps his last sleep and his battles are ended.
No sound can awake him to glory again."
Oh, soldier immortal I how brave was thy daring ;
No tyrant could bind thee, no slave could defy ;
With the spirit of Washington, never despairing.
Thy voice was for freedom — to conquer or die.
" But never again will the loud cannon's rattle"
Awake thee, to guard us from Tyranny's chain ;
" Thou sleepest thy last sleep, thou hast fought thy last battle,
No sound can awake thee to glory again."
Thou hast left us a name in a chivalric nation.
Which Freedom forever will guard in her might ;
A star in the midst of a bright constellation.
Which empires in infancy hail with delight.
Thou hast gone to thy rest, and thy fame hath ascended,
No slave can oppress thee with Tyranny's reign ;
" Thou sleep'st thy last sleep, all thy battles are ended.
No sound can awake thee to glory again."
FROM "SHADOWS OF THE EVERGREENS."
By James Wallace Pine (1858), a Colored Citizen of Danburt.
Bless the Lord for that brilliant light which has illuminated the tomb some
hundreds of years ago.
Those trees that guard each long-lost friend
To us are ever dear.
They firmly stand, yet gently bend
And shed their dew-drop tear.
The beautiful, the old, the young
Are low beneath these trees,
Their harps which were harmonious strung
Now sound along the breeze.
And till the sun shall cease to set
And close those splendid scenes.
Bright o'er our friends we'll ne'er forget
The true, the evergreens.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE EARLY MERCHANTS AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF DANBURY.
In 1790 Danbury had a population of 3000, and yet there were
issues of the Farmers'' Journal, the weekly paper, in which not
a single event of local happening was recorded. Death could not
have been much of a change to the newspaper men of that time.
In looking over a file of these papers we find lottery advertise-
ments prominent. One of these schemes was to establish a glass
works at Hartford, another to advance the financial interests of
a church in Greenwich, and a third to help something in New
Haven. Tickets were on sale at the office of the Journal.
Although lacking local news items, the names of the men who
did business here then, and many of whom were, the ancestors
of families now among us, are subjects of interest.
The merchants of that time advertised to take country produce
in exchange for goods. The produce they sent to New York
for market. Taylor & Cook announce that they have stores in
both Danbiiry and Brookfield. They say they have a large
stock of European and West India goods, but do not explain
what they are.
The general or country stores of that period did all kinds of
business, from clothing to tinware. One of them, which was
advertised in the Journal, was located in Oreat Plain. Does
it seem possible that the district had in 1790 a large general store,
when now it has none of any kind ? But such was the fact, and
it is such an unexpected fact that we print what its owners,
Nichols & Dibble, advertised to sell. Here is their advertise-
ment in full :
"NICHOLS & DIBBLE
" Have just received at their store at Great Plain and are now
selling exceeding cheap for ready pay the following articles, viz. :
" Blue, bottle-green, London smoke, scarlet and mixt broad-
cloth. Coatings, frizes, velvets, satinets, chintzes, calicoes,
HISTORY OF DANBXJKY. 175
wildboars, camblers, calimanco, stuffs, baizes, flannels, shalloons,
muslin, lawn, gauze, silk handkerchiefs, cotton do., shawls,
worsted hose, modes, sarcenets, laces, ribbons, ostrich feathers,
silk and twist, coat and vest buttons. A complete assortment of
hardware and crockery, rum, wine, Geneva, brown sugar, loaf
sugar, lump sugar, tea, chocolate, raisins, allspice, pepper, in-
digo, snuff, alum, copperas, soap, redwood, logwood, Spanish
brown, 6x8 glass, German steel, etc.
" All kinds of country produce will be received in payment,
and every favor gratefully acknowledged. Good rock salt ex-
changed for flax seed, or rye, even."
The above is a sample of the line of grade of goods kept by
the merchant in those days. But the " etc." of Nichols &
Dibble embraces much more than the casual observer would
think. It includes shoes, confectionery, agricultural imple-
ments, stationery, and about everything that now is distributed
into a dozen or so of specialties.
Other Danbury advertisers in the Journal are Foot & Pickett,
who were " tailors and lady's habit makers." A hundred years
ago ready-made clothing was not in the market.
Chapell & White advertised to pay a good price for cheiTy-
tree boards.
Eliakim Peck ran an axe factory. His shop was near the
Episcopal church, which stood at the foot of Main Street.
Isaac Trowbridge advertised for a quantity of otter, fox, cat,
and muskrat skins.
Abijah Peck was a blacksmith. He advertised his shop as
being " about 30 rods north of Burr & White's store." There
were several probate notices, and three to debtors warning
against further delinquency in settling up.
Mathias Nicoll, of Stratford, advertised that he had for sale
" 20 puncheons of excellent Demara Rum."
Spinning-wheels were a prominent factor in domestic economy
in those days, and we find in the Journal the advertisements of
several wheelwrights who made and sold spinning-wheels. One
of these was Jacob Judd, whose shop was in Danbury, " two
miles from the Meeting House, on the middle road to New Pair-
field." In announcing that he will take produce for pay, he
says : " or even cash, that undervalued article, if offered and
urged will not be refused."
176 HISTORY OF DANBUKT.
One of tlie advertisements was the offer of a reward of $10 for
the recovery of a runaway negro slave, by John Lloyd, of Long
Island.
Two North Salem farmers offer rewards for the recovery of
horses stolen from their barns.
One hat factory has an advertisement. It was owned by
O. Burr & Co. They advertised to pay cash for all lands of furs.
One part of their advertisement reads :
' ' All kinds of hats to be sold by the wholesale and retail, at
the lowest rates, equal in beauty to any imported, and a general
assortment of English and India goods. One shilling and six-
pence is paid in dry goods for woollen yarn, at twopence per
pound or irnder, and seven pence for linen yarn of any fine-
ness. N.B. Saddle cloths of green or red stripe to be sold by
the ten yards or piece as low as can be had in New York."
" Twenty years time of a likely negro boy aged five years" is
offered for sale by the printers.
Joseph Clark advertised to make clocks and silverware for the
Danbury people.
People at that time were conspicuous for their moderation.
Jeremiah Ryan was then a farmer in New Fairfield. In July,
1789, two of his sheep strayed away. In the pajier of January
25th, 1791, eighteen months after, he notified the public of his
loss. He had fuUy made up his mind that it was time some-
thing was said aboiit it.
In a number of the advertisements appear calls for apprentices
to the various trades. All are particular, of coiirse, that only
good boys apply. One long-headed manufacturer advertises for
a " son of reputable parents" to be his apprentice.
The terms of apprenticeship a century ago were strict. The
boy who signed the paper of indenture signed away all his lib-
erty until he became of age. He became the property of the
master, and was treated like other property. If he ran away he
was publicly advertised, his person described, and a reward
offered for his return. In one of the papers before us David
Bunce, of New Haven, advertises the running away of his
apprentice. He describes the boy as being eighteen years of
age, goes on with particulars of his features, his dress, etc.,
describing every article he wore and took with him, and then
says : " Whoever will take up said boy and return him, or secure
W 1I.I.1IAN II. 1
James W. Nichols, Poet.
Nichols Homestead.
HISTORY OF DANBUET. 177
him in any jail and give information shall be reasonably re-
warded. N.B. — All persons are forbid hai'boring said runaway."
Joseph Moss White advertises for a package which he " lost
on the road between Danbury and Hartford."
Joshua Benedict, who carried on the saddle-making business
" a little south of the church," advertises to " pay cash for hog
skins in the parchments."
One hundred years ago Ezra Starr offered a dwelling-house
and store with about five acres of land " near the meeting-house.' '
As none of the cross streets were developed then, this property
must have been on Main Street in the vicinity of the present
City Hall. There are no five-acre plots of ground for sale in
that neighborhood now.
In one number of the Journal, under the head of Danbury, is
a weather item from Newtown. There are fourteen lines in the
item, and every letter of it is in italic. This shows that the
weather was a very important subject as long ago as 1790. It
says at sunrising on the day of the report, the thermometer
stood at zero, and a colder day rarely ever happens. In the
number of January 4th, 1791, there were three items of local
interest. One of these gave the particulars of the burning of
the Danbury Jail, the second wished the readers a Happy New
Year, and the third told of the death of a former resident. The
burning of the jail was set forth in these glowing terms :
" Last Tuesday morning about G o'clock the public jail in this
town was discovered to be on fire, which in a short time rendered
it to ashes."
Three times this space is given to wishing the readers a Happy
Kew Year. We wonder now if 1791 was a happy new year to
them. We are inclined to think, on the whole, that we are
taking more interest in the subject than they did.
The man who made the wish, the man who printed it, and the
people who read it have long since passed away ; but the paper
itself is here in Danbury, in this year of our Lord 1895.
The death item gave information of the demise in Cornwall of
Mrs. Hannah Pearce, wife of Joshua Pearce, of Cornwall, who
was in her eighty-third year. The item goes on to say that
" she was the daughter of the Rev. Seth Shove, the first Pres-
byterian minister settled in this town. She had four husbands,
viz.: Comfort Starr, of this town, Thomas Hill, of Fairfield,
178 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Peter Lockwood, of Wilton, and the above-mentioned Mr.
Pearce." The editor says, " She was a woman of unbounded
affection and charity, and possessed, in an eminent degree, the
esteem of her acquaintances."
In the next paper is recorded another fire. The harrowing
particulars of the destruction of a pixblic building are thus set
forth :
" Last Tuesday night the ptiblic school house at the north
part of this town was consumed by fire."
The editorial comment on these fires is as follows :
" The two alarming instances of fire which we have lately been
witness to suggests loudly to the inhabitants of this growing
town the necessity of forming some regulations for the extin-
guishing of fires. The usefulness of Engines is plainly seen in
the late fire in Hartford where a barn was saved although but
twelve inches distant from one that was burned to ashes."
In this issue there is another bulletin from Newtown, which
appears to have the bulge on the weather business. It says the
thermometer was down five degrees below zero at sunrising one
day that week.
In the following issue of the Journal there is a communication
from— A Taxpayer? Oh, no ; but from " An Individual." As
this communication is a splendid piece of chromatic language,
as well as a sort of revelation of the conditions of society in that
day, we copy it entire.
" To the InJiabitants of the Town of Danhury.
" Permit me to address you on a subject in which you are all
interested. Property is liable in so many ways to be destroyed,
that we need your united exertions as a defence. We in this
town, like larger societies, have common dangers to guard
against, and common interests to protect. But among the num-
ber of dangers, which are always threatening, none are at present
more alarming than the ruin of property by fire ; nor do any of
our interests need at present the protecting hand of one and all,
so much as our buildings. Scarcely a single jjaper comes from
the ^ress without announcing the ravages of fire among public
or private buildings. Of which there have been recent instances
among us : The gaol and school house, two public buildings,
have fallen a sacrifice to the merciless flames. As thickly settled
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 179
as some parts of tlie t(jwn street is, we must know our houses,
barns, &c. , will be imminently exposed, should a fire break out ;
yet we are in a most defenceless situation— not one house to
twenty being furnished even with a ladder. Were not the people
obliged to go near half a mile to procure one, M^hen the gaol was
on fire ? What suri:)rising and melancholy inattention to danger !
Although the town is not the most compact, yet we might be
under very great advantages to extinguish fire. Very easily
might we procure a Fire Engine. This would be useful indeed.
Nothing is so well calculated to put out fire, or prevent its
spreading. Witness the late instance in Hartford, when a barn
was saved which stood only twelve inches from the one con-
sumed. [See Farmer /i' Journal^ No. 44.] Its advantages are
too many and too public to need an enumeration. Its price can
be no substantial objection : as it must be very inconsiderable
when compared with its utility. The spirited and united exer-
tions of the people in the most populous parts of this town,
would soon and very easily procure one. But my fellow citizens,
if there have not yet been buildings enough burnt, to awaken in
you a sense of danger, and excite your exertions — if you must
yet be the unhappy spectators of some still more unhappy fam-
ilies, alarmed in the night by fire, and flying naked from their
houses, into the inclement air, to see their buildings, their furni-
ture, their bread, and their all, consumed in a moment — if you
must yet live to hear the shrieks of a beloved child, involved in
the flame, answered only by the unavailing tears, and broken
sighs of its fond parents, before you will either be at the expense
of procuring an Engine, or at the trouble of putting yourself
into a state of defence ; then are you insensible of danger, or too
covetous to purchase your own safety. There are various meas-
ures that would be advantageous, if only adoj^ted. Form into
two companies or fire clubs, chuse your officers, agree to certain
articles, and let every man be furnished with two leather buckets,
to be kept in good order.— Then if a fire breaks out, let every
man repair to the place, thus furnished, and be directed by the
officers. Much might be accomplished in this way. But as we
now are, destitute of buckets, of fire hooks and ladders, what
can we do? Probably as we have done heretofore. — If in the
night, some would never know there had been a fire, till morn-
ing, although not ten rods distant. Others would assemble and
180 HISTORY OF BANBURY.
remain in perfect confnsion till they dispersed. If one directed
any thing to be done, some would contradict, and others be
offended because they were urged to do something ; while not a
few would stand, and look and yawn at the fire, as stupid as
asses, till the building was consumed. In our present circum-
stances, Fortune must do more for us than we shall do for our-
selves, or every building which takes fire will most assuredly
burn down. Consider, then, and adopt such measures as our
purses will permit, and our circumstances render expedient.
" An Individual."
In the number of the Journal of January 25th there are two
items of interest. One is a call to the brethren of Union Lodge
to meet in the lodge-room on Thursday at 2 p.m. to attend uj^on
the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, to be held in the house of
Brother James Clark. The other is an advertisement of a com-
ing show. This is the only announcement of a show to be found
in the file, which goes to show that travelling shows were not
numerous in those days. There was no opera house nor public
hall in Danbury at that time. We heremth jiresent the adver-
tisement, believing it will interest our readers.
" To THE Curious !
" On Wednesday and Thursday evenings next will be exhibited
at the house of Major Frederic J. Whiting by a gentleman from
New York, a number of curious and entertaining performances
by the SLIGHT of HAND each being of a nature so surprising
that they cannot fail of giving general satisfaction to the specta-
tors. At the same time will be exhibited a most surprising feat,
by cutting off a man's head and laying it a yard from his body,
in presence of the spectators ; afterward putting it on again and
restoring him to life.
" The exhibition wiU begin at candle lighting. Tickets may
be had at the place of performance. Price one shilling."
The only matter of local interest in the number of February
1st, 1791, is an account of the wi-eck of the brig Sally off Eaton's
Neck, L. I. The brig was commanded by Captain Benjamin
Keeler, of Ridgefield. All on board (twelve persons) were
drowned. Captain Keeler' s body was taken to Kidgefield and
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 181
buried. The account says he was twenty-nine years old, " the
only son of his mother, and she a widow."
In the next number of the Journal somebody iu Redding
appears with a letter from Rev. John Bloodgood, who writes
from Redding to a sister Wigton, in Hudson, N. Y., detailing
the persecution he suffers at the hands of the iinregenerate. Mr.
Bloodgood says in his letter :
" They have saluted us with firing of cannon, with the sound
of violin, the blowing of horns, and their powdered candles
would burst by us when preaching. It is hard work to make
Methodists here. If they do not kill some of us before long it
will do."
The Redding man who sent this letter to the printer prefaces it
with this rather vigorous introduction : " It is desired you pub-
lish the enclosed verbatim in your next issue to show the igno-
rance, ingratitude, and deception of these itinerant preachers,
who, while they are treated with the greatest civility and feasted
with the best fare the country affords, strive to make their
friends in the profession believe they are in danger of their lives."
Early in the present century Zalmon and Seymour Wildman
established a hat store in Charleston, S. C, which was continued
under the name until 1815 ; after that until 1845 under the name
of Wildman & Starr.
During the War of 1812 Gilbert Cleland also had a hat store
in Charleston. In the autumn of 1815 Russell and Eli T. Hoyt
established a hat store in Charleston, which was continued under
various names for over thirty years ; and Benedict & Clark also
had a hat store in that city. At that time Charleston was much
the largest city on the Southern coast, and did a large wholesale
business, drawing its trade from North and South Carolina as
well as Georgia. Hats were sent from New York in large Penn-
sylvania wagons, and eight weeks were required for the jour-
ney.
There was one barber's shop here in 1790, James Sell propri-
etor. It was opposite the drug-store of Colonel Eli Mygatt, and
stood about on the site of the present Danbury Savings Bank
building. He advertised himself as " a lady's and gentlemen's
hair dresser," and announced that his shop would be open all
days but Sundays.
In the books of Town Record we find the following : " James
182 HISTORY OP DANBURY.
Sell, from the Town of Belfast in Ireland married Anne, Daughter
of Solomon Perry of Ridgefield, Nov. 1st, 1787."
His estate was inventoried in May, 1797, and settled in 1798.
The inventory shows him to have been, in addition to hair-
dressing, a general merchant, and probably of a literary turn of
mind, as the last item in the inventory is "A right in the
Franklin Library."
There were two brokers in Danbury then who bought and sold
securities, John Dodd and Isaac Trowbridge. The publishers of
the paper took space to announce that they would soon publish
two volumes. The first volume was on etiquette, and appeared
to be designed for schools. The second was an almanac, j)re-
pared by Joseph Leland, and " calculated for the meridian of
Danbury, . . . but may serve indifferently for any of the
adjacent States."
There are but two local items in the paper. One of these re-
lates that Joseph White had an ear of Indian corn which con-
tained thirty-two rows, in which were ten hundred and fifteen
kernels. There are feet in Danbury now that have about that
number of corns.
Timothy Taylor, of the firm of Cooke & Taylor, advertised for
a few tons of good English hay. Was hay an article of import ?
Douglass & Ely, the printers, annorrnced to sell " twenty years
time of a likely negro boy," then five years old. That was a
long, long time ago, and the negro boy has passed to manhood
and on to the grave many years ago, one would think ; and yet
we have two or three citizens who were five years old ninety
years ago,* when that youngster was offered for sale, and he
to-day may be alive somewhere in the character of a body ser-
vant of the late lamented Washington.
Joseph Clark was watchmaker and jeweller in those days.
The location of his shop was not given. He made clocks as well
as watches, and bought old silver, copper, and brass.
Preserved Taylor, of Redding, advertised for sale "a lot of
ground fronting the Main street in Danbury, opposite the meet-
ing house, being upwards of nine rods in front, and containing
about three acres." The advertisement further says : "It is,
without exceptions, as commodious a building spot as any on
the street." If Mr. Taylor had been Preserved until now he
* Written in 1880.
(^^^'c'y^^:^^ «f^
the CoviDty of Fairfield, in the second Collection
Pi^^i^^ Dollai
'- "^ wheel Caiiiage for ihe conveyance of persons
foi and upon a « -^
caUecl a ,yL^ -^ __ owned by C^-ry.'j c^'tP^y^ ^ •"■
Tliis CcrilStaie to be of no avail any longer than the aforesaid Carriage shall be owned by
the said &'^'^^^^'^_!>ri^^t^<,y^-^r^ anles. said Cer.iScaie shall be produced to
the Collector, by whom it was granled, and an entry made thereon, specifjingtho name of the
then owner of said Carriage, and the lime when he or she became possessed thereof.
Given in conformity with an Act of the Congress of the United Suiej, passed on the 24tb
day of July, 1813.
c?..^
Z//cf^'^
«f the Revenue for the second Collectio
nis'.rict of Conneciicu!.
Collector
rs^ecymli/ soUcileil to honour Ihe ti<^eml li/ ntlhi
/T^-L-- allenilaiire, al Mr. P. Benetl cl s Hotel f<,
n Thobbdav, 6/;i May iieil, al 6 o clock P M
E. M. Starr
E. S. Sanjori
R. Rider,
E. T. J
Danhuri/, April, 1!JI3.
X '■< reqmjki In attend the Ball at i
^ Mr. Andrew 1 Ball Room, en iJiurfdiy ^
^ the <)th Augu/r, at 5 o'ckck P M
July 2(sth, 1798.
TyKr^ijrfiantSecet, q D., b^ry/Ji luted
^,...
V„« 2/ 1800
Hatteks' Card.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 183
would undoubtedly be often found on pleasant, sunny days lean-
ing against tlie monument fence, and looking with glistening
eyes upon the mass of buildings opposite.
Those were remarkable papers published in the last century.
The newspaper appeared to be a vehicle for views rather than
news, and its advertising columns were used more in a legal
than a commercial sense. The Danbury Journal^ in 1793, had
taken on another column to the page, and was now a sixteen
instead of a twelve-column paper, but the extra room brought no
addition of local news, and but very little mercantile advertising.
The most pi'ominent announcement in the issue before us is to
the effect that " Eli Hoyt has entered into a partnership Avith
Elijah Sanford in the saddling business." Eli Hoyt was a
cousin of Eli T. Hoyt, and Elijah Sanford was grandfather of
Charles A. Sanford, our late librarian. They advertised two
shops, one "opposite the store of Carrington & Mygatt," the
other " in Beaver Brook, three mUes northeast of the town (vil-
lage centre), where said Hoyt formerlj-- resided."
Thomas Tucker taught school here in 1793, and advertised the
fact. Where his school was situated is not made known in his
card to the public. Mr. Tucker was a successful teacher. He
built and occupied the house now the homestead of Mrs. George
Ives, Main Street. His daughter married Colonel Moss White.
Mr. Tucker employed what appears to us at this day to be an
extraordinary manner of introducing his capabilities as a teacher.
" Hops !" in large capitals is the heading to his card. There is
nothing in hops to suggest school-teaching, although it may
school discipline. Then follow three lines in almost equally
prominent type informing the public that Thomas Tucker has
" 250 weight of genuine well-cured Hops for sale." Following
this is a paragraph in small type to this effect :
" N.B. — As several of his scholars are going to spring and
summer labour, 5 or 6 new ones may be admitted. The advan-
tage that small children obtain at his school may be easily im-
agined, when the public are informed that those who spell, go
through the whole of Webster' s spelling book twice in a fort-
night."
This will give the reader of to-day some idea of the hardships
our forefathers had to undergo.
Samuel Gregory, of Norwalk (this is not strictly local, but
184 HISTORY OF DANBUKY.
merely shows a style of manufacture in vogue hereabouts at
that time), advertises in the Jotirnal that "he continues to carry
on the business of DYING yarn deep blue." Mr. Gregory, like
several Danburians, but who were not so enterprising in adver-
tising as he, made a business of weaving cloth, coverlids, and
" the most fashionable diapers."
John Rider was a carpenter and cabinet-maker in Danbury in
those days, as an advertisement for a journeyman and an appren-
tice shows.
Illustrating the vast difference between an apprentice then and
now is an advertisement of a New Milford wheelwright announc-
ing that his apprentice had run away. A minute description of
the deserter is given, and then follows this warning :
" Whoever will take up and return said apprentice, or secure
him in any Gaol, shall receive eight dollars reward, and all neces-
sary charges. All persons are forbid harboring said apprentice
or imploying him either by sea or land, as they will answer it at
peril of the law."
Carrington & Mygatt announce in this issue of the Journal
that they have entered into partnership with Najah Taylor in
the gold and silversmith business. The silver and gold business
must have been in good condition in those days to have sup-
ported three partners.
The balance of the advertising is made of duns, probate notices,
warnings, and losses.
The Farmers' Chronicle for 1794, the successor of the Farm-
ers' Journal, was conducted by Edwards Ely, his partner, Nathan
Douglas, having withdrawn and started a Job office. Mr. Ely
announced, under the title of his paper, that the office was
"near the Court House, where Useful Essays and articles of
Intelligence are thankfully received."
The number of the Chronicle we have before us is dated Mon-
day, September 29th, 1794. In its eleven columns of reading
matter there is but one local item, and this is a request for " the
civil authority and selectmen of the town of Danbury to meet
the Listers at the Court House" for the " hearing and determin-
ing the pleas of abatement on polls."
There is a moderate increase in business advertising, and con-
sequently in the interest of that department of the paper. These
advertisements give a fair idea of the widespread credit system
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 185
then prevailing. Aside from the special requests, with accom-
panying threats, to call and settle, one half of the regular busi-
ness cards are supplemented with serious invitations to square
accounts.
There were several provision and lumber dealers in Fairfield,
" on the east side of the Saugatuck River," who advertised lib-
erally in the Chronicle for Danbury custom.
The stores in that day were not broken up into specialties as
they are now. Dry goods, lumber, groceries, and drugs were
sold by one firm. Boots and shoes did not, however, in those
days form a part of the general stock as they did years after.
The leather business was a business by itself, and every village
of any size had its leather store. Many people bought the
leather and had the foot covering made up by a neighbor who
knew the trade, and some did their own shoemaking, just as
many people nowadays do their own doctoring.
A staple article of merchandise in those days was rum, and to
a grocery it was as indispensable in the stock as sugar or pork.
As a sample of the business then done by a single firm, we
reproduce from the Chronicle its largest advertisement :
Carrington & Mygatt, and Filor Mygatt & Co.
Have for sale, at their respective Stores,
Good Salt, Rum, Molasses, Sugars, Teas, <fec.
Also A new assortment of
DRY GOODS,
Amongst which are a great variety of Calicoes
and Chints— all on the most reasonable
terms.
CODFISH by the quintal or pound.
One Shilling pr. pound gitenfor
GOOD BUTTER.
N B. A few thousand feet good Yl^'E,
BOARDS for sale hy
Carrington <£ Mtgatt.
Danbury, Aug. 25, 1794. 63
186 HISTOEY OF DANBURY.
In 1794 Munson Gregory and Reuben Curtis sold leather of all
kinds and " boot legs at their dwelling houses."
Justus Barnum kept store here then. In addition to the gen-
eral variety of goods he announced "20,000 good bricks" and
" a good milch cow with a calf 8 weeks old by her side."
Hugh Cain, of Ridgefield, announces that " he can full in the
driest season," has now begun, " and can continue to full, pro-
vided there should be no rain for six weeks to come." He
says " he makes all colours made in America {scarlet ex-
cepted)y
In 1794 Joseph F. White advertised the selling and the buying
of stock at White's tavern in Dan bury. Mr. White, we judge
from his advertisement, was quite a dealer in live stock. He
also advertised for ' ' four good smart indiistrious Men who will
be willing to devote their time and strength to threshing flax for
the term of two months."
In 1794 the penalty for selling liquor without license was $50,
as an announcement in this paper shows.
In the same paper White, Burr & White advertise for " three
or four journeymen hatters, to whom good wages and good pay
will be made."
Timothy Foster announces he has removed his clothing busi-
ness from Danbury to Wilton.
Among other wants is one for "3 or 4 labourers, chiefly at
cutting wood, for two months, at 40 shillings cash per month,
and paid weekly," by E. & A. Peck.
Ezra Frost was a shoemaker then, and had a good trade
that fall, as he advertised for a journeyman and an appren-
tice.
Here is a model tax notice which we copy in full :
ALL who have not settled their Town RATES, due to the
Siibscribers, are hereby notified, that unless they make
full payment of the same, within Fourteen Days from the date,
they must expect to pay travelling and collecting Fees, without
favor or afl'ection.
Ebenezer B. White,
Collector of Town Tax, for first society Danbury.
Eli Mygatt, jun.
Collector of Town Tax, for Bethel Society, Danbury.
Danbury, September 19, 1794. 67 3
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 187
Silas Abbott, who then did shoe biisiness and tanned leather,
could not have had a very exalted opinion of an absconding ap-
prentice, judging from the following reward :
Two Pence Reward.
EAN away from the subscriber, the 11th inst. an Apprentice-
boy to the Tanning and Shoe-making business, named
JOHN KNAPP, about 17 years old, small of his age, very
talkative, wore away a blue & white Coat, striped Vest and calico
Trowsers. — This is to forbid all persons trusting said boy on my
account. I will pay no debts of his contracting after this date.
Whoever wiU take up & return said boy shall have the above
reward, but no charges.
SILAS ABBOTT.
Danbury, Sept. 12, 1794. 66 3
In January, 1793, Messrs. Douglass & Ely dissolved partner-
ship in the publication of the Farmers' Journal, and Captain
Douglass commenced the publication of the Republican Journal.
In December of the same year Captain Douglass sold out to Mr.
Ely, who issued a paper called the Farmers' Chronicle. In
1797 the Religious Monitor and Theological Scales made its
appearance, conducted by Douglass & Nichols. It was a monthly
religious magazine. In February, 1803, the Farmers' Journal
and Columbian Arfi, conducted by Stiles, Nichols & Co., was
commenced, but was of short duration.
In its issue of date December 11th, 1803, we find as the close
of a communication from Newtown, of the deaths in that town
for the year 1802, the following : " Twenty of these persons
belonged to the Episcopal Society ; six to the Universalists ;
three to the Presbyterians ; four to the Sandemanians, and one
to the Methodists. The fii-st has ceased to contend for power ;
the second, from denying future punishment ; the thii'd, from
opposing the moral law ; the fourth, from contending for eternal
election and reprobation ; and the fifth, from condemning it and
from mourning about the streets. They all rest in silence, and
will be judged according to the deeds done in the body."
In 1804 Messrs. Gray & Steele commenced the publication of
the New England Republican, a few rods south of the Court
House. It was an exceedingly neat and well-gotten-up paper.
188 HISTORY OF DANBUEY.
The editorial department showed ability, and would be creditable
to any paper of the present time. The publishers advertise
" Fine woven letter paper, writing paper of the best quality, also
all kinds of blanks," by which it would seem that in addition
to their publishing a newspaper, they kept a book and stationery
store. They also advertise " to print books, pamphlets, cards,
handbills, etc.," and that they would pay cash for rags. The
custom of keeping a bookstore in connection with a newspaper-
office in Danbury appears to have been the practice from an
early date, and to have been continued to a very recent period,
for we find that Messrs. W. & M. Yale and others after them
practised it.
We extract from the Republican a number of advertisements
which will be interesting to many of our older citizens, who
doubtless will remember hearing of the parties.
Joseph Trowbridge announces that " the just demands of im-
patient creditors and the wants of a helpless family obliges him
to request a settlement with those persons whose accounts have
been due six months. Most kinds of produce and a few hun-
dred good chestnut rails will be received in payment if delivered
soon." This was Dr. Trowbridge, one of the leading physicians
of the town.
Z. Griswold & Co. advertise " Broadcloths, coatings, cassi-
meres, velvets, flannels, swansdowns, humhums, a great variety
of calicoes very low, rose blankets, large camels'-hair and silk
shawls, muslins, friezes, hosiery, silk and cotton gloves, um-
brellas, etc. Likewise, best Cogniac brandy, rum, gin, cider
brandy, by the barrel or gallon ; molasses, sugars, teas, cofifee,
indigo, tobacco, Nicaragua logwood, alum, glue, cotton, wool,
etc. A good assortment of ironmongery, hardware, crockery,
glass and earthen ware, also tickets in the Episcopal academy
lottery, all for sale at moderate prices for cash, produce or a
liberal credit." Their store on the corner of Main and South
streets was robbed and biirned by two strangers about 1812, who
were arrested and sent to State prison.
Ebenezer Russell White proposes to open a mathematical
school, where students " will be perfected in the art of survey-
ing (according to the new rectangular system), navigation, and
the science of algebra," for a stated price. Mr. White was a son
of Rev. Ebenezer White.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 189
The following advertisement will be found interesting, as it
refers to the old turnpike road between Danbury and Norwalk,
once the principal means of communication between the two
places :
" The proprietors of the Norwalk and Danbury turnpike road
are hereby notified to attend a meeting of the company on Mon-
day, the 8th of October next, at the house of Mr. Gregory, inn-
keeper, in Redding (formerly Jacksons), at nine o'clock in the
forenoon to consider of the expediency of petitioning the General
Assembly at their next session for an extension of said turnpike
road from Belden's Bridge to Norwalk Bridge, and to transact
any other business proper to be done at said meeting. Should
the day be stormy, the meeting will be held on the day fol-
lowing.
' ' By direction of the committee,
" Comfort S. Mygatt, Clerk."
This inn was kept by Benjamin Gregory, the father of Dudley
S. Gregory, who removed to Jersey City, and became mayor and
the most prominent citizen of that place. The meeting was held
at the appointed time and place, and the following vote was
adopted. Hon. Joseph P. Cook was moderator and Comfort S.
Mygatt clerk of the meeting :
" Voted, That a petition be proposed to the General Assembly
at their session to be holden at New Haven on Thursday, 11th
instant, praying a grant to extend the turnpike road from Bel-
den's Bridge to Norwalk Bridge, and to erect another gate in a
suitable place, and collect another toll, the same as said com-
pany are now entitled to collect according to the present grant. "
This turnpike company " was incorporated by the General
Assembly, at their session holden at New Haven on the second
Thursday of October, 1795, for the purpose of making and repair-
ing the great road from Danbury to Norwalk, from Simmepog
Brook to Belden's Bridge."
The petitioners state that " the road from Belden's Bridge to
the head of Norwalk harbor is much out of repair ; and that the
pubUc travel is hereby much impeded, and rendered difficult and
dangerous, and petition the Assembly to extend their grant so
as to include the road aforesaid from Belden's Bridge to the
great bridge at the head of Norwalk harbor."
190 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
The Assembly resolved ' ' that said petition be continued to
the next General Assembly to be holden at Hartford on the
second Thursday of May next." There appears to have been
no further action taken upon the matter, for the turnpike was
never extended.
Friend Starr advertises for * ' a boy of thirteen or fourteen
years of age as an apprentice to the shoemaking business."
Friend Starr was the father of the late Charles F. Starr, and the
following anecdote is related of the latter when he was a boy :
One of his duties was to go to the pastiire and bring home the
cows. He rode a horse for this purpose, and being of a social
turn generally came home with several playmates perched on
the animal behind him. In fact, the horse was full of boys. Old
Mr. Starr got out of patience, finally, with making an omnibus
of the steed, and he told Charles one day that if he came home
at night with any boys behind him on the horse he would
severely j^unish him. When the cows came in that evening
there was the horse as full of boys as ever, but every mother's
son of them was in front of Charles. His father gave up the
point.
Daniel N. Carrington requests " all indebted to him to make
immediate payment to save costs, and announces that he will
pay cash for oats and llax-seed if delivered soon, also has tickets
for sale in Canaan Meeting House lottery." Many quaint
speeches are attributed to Dr. Carrington. At one time a large
snake, commonly called "chunk-head" or "cousin," was killed
and brought into the street as a curiosity. Some dispute arose
as to its species, when one man said, "It is a cousin." The
doctor immediately said, with vigor, " He may be a cousin of
yours, but I'll be d — d if he is any relative of mine."
At another time a party of gentlemen were dining together on
a public occasion, and as the custom was in those days the vic-
tuals were prepared in mouthfuls, and placed on a large platter
in the centre of the table, out of which each helloed himself.
One of the party, who was fond of pepper, caught up the pepper-
box and sifted on a liberal quantity of that article, saying that
he supposed they were all fond of pepper. Dr. Carrington, who
abhorred pepper, and was an inveterate snuff-taker, took out Ms
box of yellow snuff, and sprinkled it bountifully over the vic-
tuals, saying that he jjresumed that they were all fond of snuff.
Frienu Starr.
\^. F. Staku.
Star« Homestead.
HISTORY OF DANBTTRT. 191
He lived to an advanced age, and lost his si^eech. several years
before Ms death.
Bethel Morris advertises under date of September 4th, 1804,
that " to-morrow he proposes to put his mill to work on cloth,
and shall be ready to receive cloth at any time through the
season, for the purpose of dressing." Mr. Morris's mill was in
Beaver Brook, and he was brother to the late venerable Amos
Morris.
It appears from the notice of Lewis Hoyt that distilling to a
considerable extent was carried on, as he advertises "a still,
partly worn, which will contain about five hundred gallons, if
not sold immediately will be to let for the present season ; also
a small still suitable for a refiner, both of which are erected in a
convenient place for distilling, and in a neighborhood where one
thousand barrels of cider might be annually purchased or dis-
tilled on shares."
Comfort Hoyt washes " to contract for several tons of sumac,
and has several dozen morocco, goat and sheep skins for sale."
Mr. Hoyt was a surveyor, and resided opposite the old Episcopal
church, which stood in South Street, back of the burying-
yard.
Foot & Bull advertise for "a boy 13 or 14 years of age as
apprentice to the tailoring business." This firm consisted of
David Foot and Horace Bull.
Abel B. Blackman wants " a lad of 13 or 14 years to learn the
shoemaking business, and also wants to exchange boots and
shoes for any kind of material for building a dwelling house. ' '
Howard & Hoyt want an apprentice to the hatting business.
The firm consisted of William Howard and Lewis Hoyt. Mr.
Howard removed to New York, and was a celebrated fur dealer
there and became wealthy. He married a sister of Colonel Moss
White. Mr. Hoyt afterward went into partnership with Samuel
Tweedy.
The next week Comfort S. and David Mygatt advertise for one
or two boys to serve as apprentices " to the gold and silversmith,
clock and watch-making business." They were the sons of Col-
onel Eli Mygatt, and succeeded him in business. Colonel Mygatt
died at New Haven while representative from Danbury in 1807,
and was colleague with Colonel Moss White. Eliakim Benedict
succeeded him in the Legislature.
192 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
Captain Nathan Douglass, one of the proprietors of the Jour-
nal, died in Hartford, N. Y., March 17th, 1806, in the forty-
eighth year of his age. Edwards Ely, the other proprietor,
learned the printing business in Springfield, Mass., and at the
expiration of his apprenticeship came to Danbury, and with
Captain Douglass commenced the publication of the Farmers'
Journal. After giving up the newspaper business he kept a
store here, and later carried the mail on horseback from Dan-
bury to New York, in company with Stephen Bronson Benedict
(" Uncle Brons") and Elialdm WUdman, they taking their turns
on alternate weeks. He afterward went to New York and was
interested in several stage lines, one of which ran between New
York and Danbury. Subsequently he went to the island of St.
Bartholomew, W. I., where he was engaged in mercantile busi-
ness, and died there in the latter part of the year 1809, aged
forty-one years. He was bnried on the neighboring island of
St. Thomas.
Another early publisher of a paper in Danbury was Samuel
Morse, who published the Sun of Liberty, a Democratic paper,
here in 1800. He afterward removed to Savannah, Ga., where
he was engaged in the publication of the Georgia Repuhlican,
and died in that city in 180.5.
Even as early as the date of its first newspaper, sevei'al books
were published in Danbury. Almanacs especially were issued
from the press hei'e, one compiled by Josej)h Leland being the
first, afterward the celebrated almanac of Andrew Beers,
philom., which was continued for a number of years. Gray &
Steele advertise this almanac for sale in 1804, and state that it
" contains, besides the usual astronomical calculations, the time
of the setting of the courts in Vermont, Massachusetts, New
York and Connecticut, a tide-table for high water at New York,
a tide-table showing the difference of high water at a great num-
ber of places from New York, a table of interest at six per cent,
with a variety of interesting and entertaining matter." This
almanac was continued a number of years, and was indispensable
in every well-regulated family. Mr. Beers is rejiresented to
have been very precise in his manners, fond of a joke, and a
scholar of considerable attainment. That he was fond of a Joke
is shown by the following notice, which we copy from the New
England Republican of May 20th, 1805 :
/
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 193
" To THE Public.
In my publication of eclipses this year I acknowledge that
I very carelessly committed two errors. The eclipse for January
30th was calculated exactly right ; but in projecting I made a
mistake of ten minutes on the scale in the moon's latitude. I
had calculated the moon's latitude to be 81 minutes, N, which
was right, but through mistake, took it off from the scale, but
only 71 minutes, which was the sole cause of my error. Also,
the eclipse on June 1st, 1 have pronounced invisible to us, but
having lately projected that eclipse, I find there will be a small
one of about 5 digits, before sunset, to be seen if the air is clear.
The one reason of this error was that I never took the pains to
project the eclipse ; for, considering the moon's latitude, and
also the time of day, I concluded that there could be no visible
eclipse. But this error, I acknowledge, arose from my presum-
ing that I had been for many years perfectly acquainted with
the doctrine of eclipses. And since these are the only errors of
this nature that I have ever committed in the course of thirty
years' calculations, I hope to be forgiven. But one more apology
had liked to have slipped my memory. At the time of the cal-
culation of those eclipses, I was a widower, and about entering
again into the bonds of matrimony ; whether, under these cir-
cumstances, is it at all strange that I should call things visible
that are invisible, and things invisible that are visible, judge
ye. I have now to inform you that a remarkable and total
eclipse of the Sun will happen June 16th, 1806, in lat. 41. 56. N,
long. 72. 50. W of Greenwich, the particulars of which you may
timely see in my Almanack for 1806.
" Andrew Beers."
That Mr. Beers did commit matrimony the second time is
proven by the following announcement copied from the same
paper of the date of November 14th, 1804 : " Married— In this
town, by the Eev. Mr. Ward, Andrew Beers, Esq., of New
Stamford (N". Y.), to Mrs. Elizabeth Benedict, of Danbury."
Mr. Beers was fond of relating the following anecdote as happen-
ing to himself : In going over the Fishkill Mountains one day
he was caught in a violent thunder stonn, and met a Dutchman
in the same predicament. Hans scrutinized him as they passed
each other, and soon turned about and asked if his name was
194 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
not Beers, the almanac-maker. Mr. Beers replied that it was.
" Veil den," said the Dutchman, " vat de tyvil for you ondt in
dis tarn rainstorm for V '
A good story is told of Mr. Beers which will bear repeating.
While he was paying attention to the lady (Mrs. Benedict) who
afterward became his wife, her friends, who were expecting to
receive some benefit from her proj^erty, made considerable oppo-
sition to the expected marriage. The opposition was so strenu-
ous that the lady told Mr. Beers that she could not marry him,
iipon which he said, as they were about to part, they should
unite in prayer. He then kneeled down and prayed fervently,
upon which she, being so impressed with his piety, revoked
her decision and afterward married him.
Mr. Beers was a contributor to the JVew England Republi-
can, as many articles in that paper, signed A. B., go to show.
They were well written and interesting, and prove that he was a
person of considerable ability.
From advertisements in the oldest newspapers of the place, we
learn that there were quite a number of books and pamphlets
published in Danbury in the beginning of the present century,
and even as early as 1790. The most important book published
in Danbury was " A System of Theoretical and Practical Arith-
metic," by Ira Wanzer, published by W. & M. Yale in 1831. It
was a book of about four hundred pages, was well gotten up,
and must have been quite a herculean task for a country place
at that early date.
We give the titles of such books as we have been able to find
were published in Danbury from 1790 to 1812 :
A Sermon. Preached at the Ordination of the Reverend Stan-
ley Griswold, A.M., Colleague Pastor of the First Church and
Congregation in New Milford, on the Twentieth of January,
M.D.C.C.XC. By David McClure, A.M., Minister of the First
Church in East Windsor. Printed in Danbury by Nathan
Douglas & Edwards Ely, M.D.CC.XC.
Life of Benjamin Franklin. Written by himself. Danbxiry :
Printed and sold by N. Douglas, 1795.
The Art of Speaking. Printed for Edmond and Ephraim
Washburn. Danbury, 1795.
Christian Songs. Written by Mr. John Glas and Others.
"From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 195
Glory to the Righteous One."— Isaiah xxiv. 16. 8th Edition.
Perth [Scotland]. Re-printed in Danbury, Conn., by Nichols &
Rowe, 1802.
The Most Remarkable Types, Figures and Allegories of the
Old Testament. By the Rev. Mr. William M'Ewen, Late Min-
ister of the Gospel in Dundee. Danbury : Printed by Stiles
Nichols for J. Trowbridge, D. E. and A. Cooke, M. B. Whittle-
sey, R. & J. P. White, S. Comstock, E. W. Bull, J. Clark, jun.,
F." Scofield, Z. Griswold, S. Nichols. 1803.
Danbury. Early Imprint. The Duty of Christian Discipline
Explained and Enforced : A Sermon delivered at Canaan, Octo-
ber 14, 1800, before the Consociation of the Western District in
Fairfield County. By Amazi Lewis, A.M., Pastor of the Church
in North Stamford. 8vo, pp. 23. Danbury : Printed by Nichols
& Rowe, 1801.
The Rights of Suffrage. By Isaac Hilliard. Danbury :
Printed for the Author, 1804.
A NaiTative of the Indian Wars in New England from the
Planting thereof in the Year 1607 to the Year 1677. By
William Hubbard, A.M. Printed in Danbury by Stiles Nichols,
1803.
Beers' Columbian Almanac " for the Year of our Lord Christ
1797, and from the Creation of the World 5746." Printed
in Danbury by Douglas & Nichols. Beers' Almanac for 1811—
"being the 3"^ after Bisextet and (till July 4th.) the 35th of
American Independence." Danbury, John C. Gray, Printer.*
Young Gentlemen and Lady's Assistant. Containing, I. Geog-
raphy ; II. Natural History ; III. Rhetoric ; IV. Miscellany.
To which is added A Short but Complete System of Practical
Arithmetic. Second Edition. By Donal Frazer, Author of the
Columbian Magazine. Printed for the Author by N. Douglass.
Danbury, 1794.
[This booli and the next following are in the present Danbury
Library.]
The Death of Abel. An Historical or rather Conjectural Poem.
By Peter St. John, of Norwalk in Conn. Published in Dan-
bury, by Nathan Douglass, 1793.
In 1805 John C. Gray published " Poems on Various Subjects
* These books are in the possession of Mr. E. A. Houseman.
196 UISTORT OF DANBDRY.
by Phillis Wheatley ;" also "An Affectionate Father's Advice
to his Children," and a New England Primer.
The Connecticut Town Officer. In Three Parts. Containing
in Part I. The Powers and Duties of Towns, as Set Forth in the
Statiites of Connecticut, which are Recited ; Part II. The Powers
and Duties of the Several Town Officers, with a Variety of Forms
for the Use of such Officers ; Part III. The Powers and Duties
of Religious and School Societies, and their Several and Respec-
tive Officers, with Suitable Forms. By Samuel Whiting, Esq.
Danbury : Printed by Nathaniel L. Skinner, 1814.
In 1803 Selleck Osborne established here the BepuMican
Farmer, and continued its publication until the autumn of 1805,
when he sold it to Stiles Nichols, who continued it here until
1810, when it was removed to Bridgeport.
In 1812 The Day was i^ublished in Danbury. We have been
unable to find the nnme of the editor of this newspaper. It
might possibly have been Nathaniel L. Skinner, who was here
in 1814.
In 1826 Orrin Osborne established the Danbury Recorder, a
neutral paper. He conducted it but a little time, and died in
Danbury. After his death Washington and Moses Yale pur-
chased the paper and conducted it under the same name.
In an issue of this paper, in March, 1829, we find the following
advertisement :
" False Reports.
" A large assortment of second-hand false reports, such as Tea
Table Talk &c. , of the finest texture and composed entirely of
sly, cunning YARN, and that which is most likely to deceive,
on hand and will be disposed of at cost and on an unusual long
credit. Piiineas T. Barnum.
" N.B. The subscriber would respectfully give notice to the
Women who manufacture the above articles that he can dispense
with the use of their Tongues for a short time, and due notice
shall be given them when they are again wanted.
" P. T. B.
" Bethel, March 23d, 1829."
In 1832 the Recorder was sold to Alanson Taylor, and pub-
lished under the name of the Connecticut Repository. The pub-
HISTOKT OF DANBURY. 197
lishing office was in the building just below the old Bajjtist
Church on Main Street, where subsequently the Gazette and
Chronicle were published, and later the Danbury Times. All
newspapers ptiblished liere previous to 1831 were printed on the
old wooden Franklin Ramage screw press, and the ink was put
on the type with balls instead of rollers. It required four im-
pressions for each paper.
The Herald of Freedom was first published in Bethel in Octo-
ber, 1831, by IP. T. Barnum, and about a year afterward Mr.
Barnum was tried on a charge of libel, found guilty, and sen-
tenced to thirty days' imprisonment and a tine of $100. He con-
tinued to edit his paper while in jail, and at the expiration of
his sentence a grand ovation was given him by his friends. In
1832 the Rev. L. F. W. Andrews became editor, and the name
was changed to Herald of Freedom and Gospel Witness. In
1833 the press was removed to Danbury, and the latter part of
the name was dropped.
The Danbury Gazette was the immediate successor of the Con-
necticut Repository, for we find in the first number of that paper
that Wilmot & Lobdell, the publishers, give notice tliat they
" shall this week send the Gazette to all those who were sub-
scribers to the Connecticut Repository,''^ and that they "shall
consider all who neglect to notify us to the contrary subscribers
to the Gazette.'''' They also advertise that they " shall continue
to keep on hand a general assortment of books, stationery, etc.,"
thus verifying our former statement, that the publishers of
papers here were in the habit of keeping books and stationery
for sale. The first number of the Gazette was printed January
9th, 1833.
The Gazette was succeeded by the Danhury Chronicle and
Fairfield County Democrat, the first number of which was
issued by its publisher, John Layden, May 17th, 1836. This
paper was succeeded by the Danbury Times, which was estab-
lished here in 1837 by Edward B. Osborne. In 1845 Mr. Osborne
sold out to his brothers, Harvey and Levi, who continued pub-
lishing the paper, retaining the name.
In 1860 the Jeffersonian was started here, with VV. A. Croffut
as editor, and soon afterward W. A. Newton obtained an inter-
est in it. Later on B. F. Ashley was connected with it. In
December, 1865, Mr. Ashley sold out his interest to J. H. Swert-
198 HISTORY OF DANBUBY.
fager, who continued the publication until it was sold to Bailey
and Donovan, and with the Danbury Times, already in their
possession, merged into the Danbury News.
In 1846 Edward Taylor published a small campaign paper
which was short-lived.
In 1855 Granville W. Morris commenced the publication of the
Hatter'' s Journal, but it continued only a short time.
The Danhurian appeared in 1875, conducted by C. E. A.
McGeachy, and Tlie People, a Greenback paper, by T. Donovan,
in 1878. Both of these were of short duration.
The Olobe was established by W. F. Page in 1874 ; the Demo-
crat, by L. K. Wildman, in 1877, and the Republican in March,
1879.
The papers of to-day are the News, Dispatch, the Neio Eng-
land Monthly, and the Prescription.
CHAPTER XXIX.
HOW DANBURY WENT AWAY AND GOT BACK.
Distance lends encliantment to the view. So does time. We
hear much of the " good old times," and those who took part in
them are slow to admit that the present is an improvement upon
the past. We confess that a stage is in some respects to be pre-
ferred to a journey by rail, but the conditions must be favorable.
The roads must be in excellent order, the animals swift, the
coach easy, the weather pleasant, and time plenty. These con-
ditions rarely, if ever, combined in Connecticut seventy-five years
ago.
Danbury reached New York then as it does now, via Nor-
walk. This was the only public route up to the War of 1812,
when the British holding the waters of the Sound forced another
route upon the Danbiarians.
The mode of conveyance from Danbury to Norwalk was by
goods wagons. One of these made the trip twice a week, carry-
ing freight, chiefly dairy products to New York. At Norwalk
the freight and passengers were transferred to a sloop.
The land passage was not a particularly pleasant one. The
heavily laden wagon moved at a slow i)ace, and was not adapted
to the comfort of passengers ; and we cannot believe that the
turnpike was in any better condition then than it is now. It
was eight hours' journey — tedious enough even in the best of
weather, and seemingly unbearable when the day was stormy.
There was one advantage, however. If anything was broken
and a delay occurred the passenger was pretty sure to find out
all the particulars.
Through the War of 1812 a new passage was opened to New
York. This was to Sing Sing on the Hudson, and thence
down the river by sailing vessel to the city. Sing Sing was
thirty-four miles from Danbury ; the distance down the river
was about the same.
200 HISTORY OF DANBCTRY.
The mode of travel was by a goods wagon to Sing Sing. This
was managed by Reuben Trowbridge, father of Trnman Trow-
bridge. He made a trip once a week. Freight was the chief
resource of the enterprise, and the chief article Avas butter. He
carried passengers, if desired, but the accommodation was not
very good, and there was very little travel. The fare to Sing
Sing was $1, and the same by boat to the city, or about what
it is now by rail. The trip by wagon consumed about ten hours'
time.
In 1815, when the war closed, and from that time to 1824, the
journey was made by stage to Norwalk, where a sloop was taken
to New York.
Captain Piatt was for many years the driver of this stage.
He had his headqiiarters Avhere Mrs. D. P. Nichols now lives.
There was no stage office. The captain picked up his passengers
about town, and started from here at noon, arriving in Norwalk
early in the evening.
The passengers took supper at a tavern kept by Hezekiah
Whitlock, familiarly known as Uncle Kiah. He was a typical
host, in person, manner, and speech. It was a custom of his to
" odd or even" with every customer, so inclined, for the drinks.
After supper the passengers went aboard the boat, and in due
time turned into their berths. In the night, as the tide suited,
the vessel got out into the Sound and started for the city.
The passage was an extremely uncertain venture. Sometimes,
but not often, wind and tide so favored that the passenger found
himself in New York the next morning. As a general thing an
entire day was consumed in the triji, and in very dirty weather
three or four days would be required. The weather sometimes
would be so obstinate that the vessel would be obliged to put
into port on the way, and remain there until the storm abated.
The sloop was not a large one, and was consequently restricted
in the matter of accommodation. Ten or twelve berths was its
limit. The price of a ticket was 50 cents, or one half that by
stage between Danbury and Norwalk. Meals were charged 25
cents each, and consisted invariably of beefsteak fried with
onions.
At this time there was a stage from Boston to New York,
passing through Norwalk, biit it was generally full on reach-
ing that village on its way down, and not often available to
i.Lxi'i:
7?< L? niz.
Whereas jt"' p»"' '»-»'>«" "^^ •" ™'"«' "" p""''' '"'"'' ''"' "" ""^
engaged with Great Britain, is mttensively unpopu a .
.otied b, te Peopit of New-England, the undersigned
.h.le Ihey lament the hecessity ot a War, they are fi»ed
fill the airaiciment of an honorable peace.
link proper to declare, ihai whi
n ihe determiiation to support i
«r^ 3^9^ LA^'-yon^-
^<
■:^
',U
tm.
'c^i^
^ c^r^'^ ^y^~^^ ^>^
e^^ ^^r:).^-
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 201
the Danbnry passengers. When the weather was very bad on
the Sound, at the time of arriving in Norwalk, the Danbury hat
and comb-makers on the trip would charter a stage from the
livery of Stevenson & Patrick, Norwalk, and go to the city by
land.
In 1824 the first steamboat was put on the line from Norwalk
to New York. This vessel was called the John Marshall, in
honor of the Chief Justice. The company owning it was com-
posed of Danbury, New York, and Norwalk parties. The vessel
was about eighty feet long, and carried between thirty and forty
passengers.
The journey was now made in good time, with certainty, and
attended by comfort. The fare charged was $1. Three years
later Cornelius Vanderbilt piit on an opposition boat, and the
strong competition reduced the fare from $1 to Is. This com-
petition was kept up for two years to the great gratification of
the Danbury traveller. The commodore's boat was the Nimrod,
and was commanded by Captain Brooks, of Bridgeport. The
John Marshall had been superseded by the Fairfield, com-
manded by Captain Peck.
In 1815 (and we think several years earlier than that) Philo
Calhoun carried passengers and the mail between Danbury and
New York. He drove two horses attached to a two-seated car-
riage. His route lay through Ridgefield and White Plains. He
left here Tuesdays, stopped in White Plains over night, and
reached the city on Wednesday at 10 a.m. or later, according to
the state of the roads. On the return he left the city on Thurs-
day and reached here Saturday night. The fare was $2.50.
Some time ago a man named Reynolds, who kept a small tav-
ern in Cross River, N. Y., ran a stage from that point to the
city. He got the notion that it would pay to extend his route
to Danbury, and he canied out the idea. Mr. Reynolds did not
know much about hotels, but he was at home with the whip, as
was evident enough. He drove four horses to a vehicle that was
a near approach to a regular coach, a sort of combination of the
present Brewster stage and the mail coach. It contained three
seats inside which accommodated nine passengers. There was
room for two more on the driver's seat.
Mr. Reynolds's stage made three trips each week to the city.
It left here at the somewhat startling hour of 2 a.m. The pas-
202 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
sengers took breakfast in the large but rather smoky kitchen of
his tavern at Cross River. A favorite dish with Mr. Reynolds
was fried corned beef, accompanied by rye bread and clouded
coffee, and loving his neighbors as he did himself, he gave them
this fare. In the evening the stage reached New York. The
journey cost $2, exclusive of meals. The breakfast at Cross
River was Is.
Reynolds's stage put up in Danbury at the tavern now the
Meeker place. From here, a trifle before 2 a.m., Mr. Reynolds
appeared with his stage and drove up Main Street, blowing his
horn to notify the prospective passengers that he was ready to
start. To the people who Avere not going to New York the
sound of the horn must have suggested profane thoiights. How
thoroughly disagreeable it must have been getting up at that
hour of a winter morning, and in that period of Danbury's his-
tory, we can only svirmise. There was no base burning stove to
keep the room waiTn through the night. There were no matches,
and if a light was obtained at all, it was through much difficulty.
There was a stage line from Hartford to New York by way of
Danbury at the very beginning of the century. The following
advertisement is taken from the Danbiuy Republican Journal,
published in 1804. It is as follows :
MAIL STAGE.
From Hartford to New York.
Leaves Hartford and New York every
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning, at 4 o'clock ; and
arrives in Danbury the same evening, at 7 o'clock ; Starts from
Danbury every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, at
4 o'clock ; and an-ives in Hartford and New York the same
evening, at 7 o'clock.
Fare for eacJi Passenger,
fFarmington $0.5f) ^ fEast Chester $1.00
Bristol 1.00 .«
Harwinton 1.2f> ^
Litchfield 1.65 |
Washington 2.15 '^
NewMilford 2.65 g
White Plains 1.50
Harrison 1.70
North Castle 2.00
Bedford 2.35
Ridgefield 2.90
iDanbury 3.45 ^ iDanbury 3.45
HISTORY OF DANBUKY. 203
f Kidgefield 80.55 fNew Milford $0.80
f^ Bedford 1.10 f_ Washington 1.30
I j North Castle 1.45 | | Litchfield 1.80
1 I Harrison 1.75 § -{ Harwinton 2.20
g White Plains 1.95 g Bristol 2.45
2 I East Chester 2.45 2 | Farmington 2.90
^ iNewYork 3.45 '^ iHartford 3.45
Fourteen pounds Baggage with the Passenger gratis. One
himdred pounds Baggage the same as a Passenger. The Pro-
prietors risk no Baggage, unless insured at one per cent.
It is believed that Mr. Ely, one of the proprietors of the paper,
was interested in this line. The route into Danbury is said to
have been through Stony Hill, and into the village by way of
South Street. This was a mail stage.
Later than this Stephen Bronson Benedict, grandfather of Mr.
George Starr, carried the mail on horseback between Hartford
and Daubury and Danbury and New York. He left Danbury
for New York on Monday, and returned here Wednesday.
Thursday he started for Hartford, and returned from there on
Saturday, thus taking up the week in the round trip.
In 1827 or thereabouts Richard Osborn, father of James
Osborn, carried the mail on horseback from Danbury to New-
burgh on the Hudson River.
Western passengers were carried, at one time, to Poughkeepsie,
where they took the boat to Albany. A four-horse stage made
the transfer from Danbury. It was driven by a man named
Baker. He made two trips a week, and did a good busi-
ness.
Between 1820 and 1830 a party named Parks had a stage line
between Litchfield and Danbury. The stage was a covered
wagon adapted to the conveyance of both goods and passengers.
One Palmer drove for him. Palmer was succeeded by a man
whose name became famous, and is still fragrant with the
memory of a wit that was remarkable. This was Hiram Barnes.
In 1830 Barnes left Parks and established a line between Dan-
bury and Norwalk.
The stage line from Litchfield to Danbury is remembered par-
ticularly by many of our older citizens as being a source of sup-
ply of fish, which came down from the Litchfield lakes in a
204 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
frozen condition. That was the time when fish and beefsteak
both sold for six cents a pound.
This reminds ns that the pike in the waters about Danbury
came from Bantam Lalce in Litchfield. They were brought here
by Thaddeus Gray, in 1826. Gray lived in Brookfield, just over
the Danbury line. He went about among our people soliciting
contributions for his fish i^roject, and raised enough for the pur-
pose. He brought the young pike in a cask by the Litch-
field stage, and with his own hands distributed them in the
waters about here.
Hiram Barnes began staging on his own account in 1830. He
was a heavily built man with a voice that was a surprise in that
it was not deep and sonorous, but shrill and squeaking. His wit
was remarkable, showing itself somewhat after the unexpected
manner of lightning, and quite frequently was as withering as
that fluid. He was no respecter of persons, neither did he
spare any for the sake of relationshij).
In 1833 Barnes did a good business in bringing into the country
people who were fleeing from the city because of the cholera.
He then had two four-horse stages. He changed animals at a
place called Darling's Corner, in the Boston school district of
Redding. After this period his stage left Danbury at 2 a.m.,
and connected with the morning boat for New York from Nor-
walk. The fare between Danbury and Norwalk was then but $1.
The mail route between New York and Danbuiy was through
Ridgefield, Cross River, Bedford, and White Plains. The stage
left the city with six horses, at White Plains it dropped two and
ran to Northcastle with four. At the latter place it would fre-
quently drop two more and so run into Danbury with the two
horses, and sometimes left here with but two, putting on more
as it advanced to the city. The number of horses attached to
the stage depended on the number of passengers patronizing it.
In 1840 the Housatonic Railway reached Hawleyville, and a
stage was run from Danbury to connect with the railway there.
At Bridgeport the passenger took the boat for New York. This
stage was driven by Daniel S. Beattys, who died a few years
ago.
In the summer of 1841 Mr. P. D. Crosby, then jwstmaster of
Danbury, ran a stage from this place to Bridgeport, in opposi-
tion to both Beattys and the railway company. He made the
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 205
distance in from three to four hours. In the railways of that
time a straj) rail was used, being a strip of iron laid on a timber.
At the joints it would occasionally happen that an end would
become loose and curl up, so as to run up on the wheel and thus
into the car, to the horrible mutilation of some passenger. These
were known and dreaded as "snake heads." A line in the
advertisement of Mr. Crosby's stage announced, " No Snake
Heads !" His route became so popular as to interfere with the
business of the railway company, and it bought him off.
In 1840 or thereabouts, Mr. George Bates drove a stage to
New Haven. He made one trip a week, and kept up the route
for two or three years.
In the fall of 1841 Mr. Crosby opened a stage line to White
Plains, where he connected with the Harlem Railway. The dis-
tance was thirty-six miles. He made three trips weeldy. The
fare to White Plains by the stage was 81. From there to New
York by cars it was 50 cents. On April 1st in the following
year he made a trip each day.
When the Harlem Road reached Croton Falls he made that
the objective point. The distance was fourteen miles. At this
time Barnes started a line in opposition to Mr. Crosby, and
lively work followed. At one time three trips were made
daily.
The steamboat coming to Norwalk was an event in the his-
tory of that town. We can all understand this, but few of us
are prepared to believe that the event took such a hold upon the
Norwalk people as to almost entirely unfit them for their regular
business pursuits, but such was the fact.
Crowds flocked to the wharf to see the steamboat leave, and
the most of these with their number greatly increased returned
at night to see the boat come. It was no uncommon event to
have a thousand persons waiting to receive the steamer. They
went on foot and in carriages and waited in a state of great ex-
citement. The streets of the village were deserted during the
hour, and business in the stores was entirely suspended. Some
men lost their heads to such a degree that they gave up their
work entirely. This was not an excitement of the moment, but
lasted for several years.
We have already referred to the reputation for witty retort
enjoyed by the late Mr. Barnes. Numerous stories are told of
206 HISTORY OF DANBUKY.
this phase of his character, some of which are well worthy of
preservation.
On one occasion he was coming down from Litchfield, when
an old woman appeared from a building at the side of the road
and hailed the stage. It was pretty well loaded, as was evident
to any observer. Barnes drew up his horses, thinking he had a
passenger in prospect.
" I've got a trundle-bed I wish yoii would take to Danbiiry
for me," said the woman.
Concealing his disgust, Barnes gravely replied, " Sorry, marm,
I can't accommodate you, but I've got a saw-mill to take on just
below here."
When O. P. Clark kept a store on South Main Street it was a
favorite resort for Barnes. One evening he was in there when
an old gentleman, who was sitting by the stove, observed,
" Things have changed a great deal up along the Still River,
Mr. Barnes, since you drew a stage up there."
" I s'pose so," said Barnes absently.
" Yes, indeed. I kin remember the time when all along up
there, clear to New Milford, was a woods. It was full of trees
in that time, and the wild geese used to lay in there thicker' n
bees."
" Where do wild geese make tlieir nests and hatch their young,
uncle V ' asked some one else.
" In the crotches of the trees, I think," said the old gentleman.
" Is that so, Barnes V said the interrogator, appealing to the
stage-driver. ' ' Do wild geese make their nests in the crotches
of trees ?"
" I don't know as wild geese do," said Barnes, in his squeak-
ing voice ; " but suckers do."
That ended the discussion.
On another occasion he was seen crossing the road with a
parcel in his hands.
" What have you got there, Barnes ?" asked a friend.
" A pumpkin pie," was the reply, given in a tone that indi-
cated some disgust.
True enough, he had a huge pumpkin pie, one of those articles
baked on a large, old-fashioned earthen platter. He was sent
with it by his wife to a poor but shiftless family, with whose
misfortunes he had no sympathy.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 207
" What win they do with it V asked the friend.
"I don't know," piped Barnes, ''unless they take it for a
cushion."
Once only he was come up with, according to his own admis-
sion, and that was by a woman. A revivalist preacher was in
town holding a series of meetings. He stayed at the Wooster
House, and was accompanied by his wife, who was not pleased
with Danbury. Meeting Barnes one day, she remembered him
as the driver of the stage that brought her here.
" Do you belong to Danbury f she abniptly inquired.
"No, ma'am," he sweetly replied; "Danbury belongs to
me."
' ' Well, you are a jDoorer cuss than I thought you were if you
own this place," was her spiteful rejoinder.
Barnes withdrew at once.
CHAPTER XXX.
REMINISCENCES AND INCIDENTS.
In 1772 a cavalry company was formed in Danbury as Fourth
Company, Third Regiment, Third Brigade. This company
served in the Revolutionary War imder the following officers :
Ezra Starr, captain ; Benjamin Hickok, lieutenant ; Jeremiah
Dunning, cornet.
Following is a list of the captains of this company in order of
succession : Daniel Starr, afterward major ; Ezra Starr, after-
ward major ; Benjamin Hickok, afterward major ; David Wood,
afterward major ; Nathaniel Gregory, Asahel Benedict, Seth
Comstock [1812], afterward major.
Second Company, Fifth Regiment, Fourth Brigade : Hugh
Starr, captain ; Elias S. Sanford, captain ; Isaac Seeley, Fred-
erick Seeley [1825, sixty men], William B. Hoyt, afterward
major ; Starr Nichols, afterward colonel ; Abijah E. Tweedy,
afterward colonel ; William Wildman, Orson Dibble, Elijah
Sturdevant, afterward major ; George StaiT, Grandison M. Bar-
num, Charles W. Fry, afterward colonel ; Judah P. Crosby,
afterward major ; George W. Wilson, Ezra A. Mallory, Jacob B.
Sears.
All companies were disbanded by the law of 1854. By State
law the Fifth Regiment Avas formed and annexed to the Fourth
Brigade. It consisted of four companies, the first from Wood-
bury, second from Danbury, third from New Milford, and fourth
from Newtown.
This first cavalry company, who participated in the War of
the Revolution, were present at the two executions at Redding
in February, 1779, under the order of General Putnam. Lieu-
tenant Jones, a British spy, was hanged, and John Smith, a de-
serter from the First Connecticut Regiment, was shot. The
company were ordered to White Plains, attached to the regi-
ment of Colonel Sheldon, of which Benjamin Tallmadge was
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 209
major, and were with Putnam at Horse Neck and at the burning
of Norvvalk and Fairiield.
When serving as State troops the regiment was under com-
mand of Captain Starr ; when serving out of the State as Conti-
nental troops they were generally under the command of Lieu-
tenant Hickok. When Putnam went into winter quarters at
Redding, Captain Starr's company was ordered home and re-
ported weekly.
At the battle of White Plains this company all appeared with
glass bottles in place of canteens, and when ordered to the right
of the American line to keep the British from turning the right
flank, thej' rode in subdivision, with Lieutenant Hickok in com-
mand.
In jumping a low stone wall surmounted by two rails, Gabriel
Barnum's horse fell, throwing his rider. The British were
firing rapidly, and Hickok turned back and said, " Barnum,
hurry iip, the balls are flying fast !" Seeing no movement on
the part of the fallen man, he shouted again, " Barnum, Bar-
num, hurry up, the balls are flying fast and hot !"
Barnum raised himself, and looking at the broken bottle which
had taken the place of his canteen, said, "I don't care a d — n
for the balls, Hickok ; but just look at my rum !"
The Continental uniform of the company was blue coats and
vests, with red facings, knee-breeches, boots, and cocked hats.
In 1791 this was changed to red coats with yellow facings, yellow
breeches, long boots, and bearskin caps.
We are indebted for this military information to Colonel Sam-
uel Gregory, of this city (Middle River District), who was adju-
tant of tbis regiment for four years. Eight of the ancestors of
Colonel Gregory were soldiers of the Revolution, two were in the
War of 1812, and he himself was in the Civil War until failing
health caused his return in 1863. Colonel Gregory also gives
lis from memory the following, which will be of local inter-
est :
" At the celebration of the Fourth of July in 1838, the pro-
cession was formed at the Danbury House, then standing on the
site of the present Turner House. In this procession were sixty
Revolutionary soldiers of Fairfield County, and one hundred
veterans of the War of 1812. From the Danbury House the pro-
cession marched up Main Street to West, up West Street to Deer
210 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Hill Avenue, and over the bill to the Baptist church on the
corner of Wooster Street.
" Here an oration vras delivered by James Taylor, and the
Declaration of Independence read by Reuben Booth, after which
the procession returned to the starting-point. Before reaching
it the ranks were opened, and every man stood with uncovered
head while the Revolutionary soldiers marched through to the
table of honor at the feast, which was spread in the broad, green
dooryard of the hotel.
' ' The chajjlain of the occasion was Rev. Anson Rood, then
pastor of the Congregational church, and the marshal of the
day was Colonel Ira Gregory."
THE MAIN STREET PARK.
When this century began Main Street, from Centre Street to
the old saddle factory, was confined to the road on the east side
of the park, and formed a bow. Major Ezra Starr, of Revolution-
ary memory, lived where now stands the residence of Mrs. D. P.
Nichols. He owned that property and down the street as far
as Wooster Street. In 1801 there was a petition to straighten
the street at the bow. In response to this feeling Mr. Starr gave
the land along his front, but on the condition that the part thus
opened should forever be a common, and no roadway should
traverse it. This left the road where it was, but straightened
the street.
The common thus created became a turf, and was utilized par-
ticularly once a year for training i)urposes. There were two
military organizations in Danbury at that time— one was an
artillery company, and the other a company of cavalry. The
former rendezvoused at the tavern kept by Ebenezer White,
grandson of the clergyman by that name. It was a two-story
wooden building, and stood on the site of the Turner House.
The cavalry had their headquarters with Dr. Starr, on the corner
of Main and Elm streets, but both companies trained on the green
created by Major Starr's bounty. In those days "a training"
was a mighty event, and the village would be full of visitors,
while the citizens donned their holiday attire and did no business.
The troops dressed their parade on a line formed along the
turf by a pick, and visible the entire length. It was a perfectly
straight line, and in those days was felt to be necessary to get a
DA NB URY ^,H OjJSE_J'
TlTf"ITf"^il"i I"
« ml
TriiNKi: IIor-E, Is'.ii;,
Aaron Turner.
Old Dasei'ry House— Where Turner House now Stands.
HISTORY OF DANBUEY. 211
perfect dress of the companies. The military eye of a century
ago may have been as iierce as is that organ of to-day, but it was
evidently not so accurate, hence the line.
In 1851 or 1852 a project for making a central park here by
running a road on the west line Avas agitated. It was immedi-
ately opposed by the uptown people, although the citizens below
Liberty Street were to bear the expense of the improvement. It
was claimed by the opponents that should the borough give the
privilege to make a park of this place, the resort would in time
be thrown back on the borough, and it would have to bear the
expense of keeping np a spectacle that was to gratify and beneiit
only a portion of the community. How singularly blind sec-
tionalism will make us !
But the down-town people persisted in their enterprise, and
the borough authorities iinally granted their request. In the
spring of 1853 the work began. Two thousand dollars was sub-
scribed by the down-towners for this purpose, and we have them
to thank to-day for the pretty, inviting park which adorns Main
Street. Augustus Seeley was a leading party in the matter.
He was ably seconded by W. P. Seeley, the late Aaron Turner,
and others on South Main Street. The trees were dug by Noah
Adkins and Fred Bevans, two well-known men in that day.
They were given by James Harvey. Thus originated Elmwood
Park.
The prediction of the up-towners was verified. The park
went back to the borough, but the annual expense of keeping it
in order has been insignificant.
When the park was first laid out it was sown vnth grain to
get a turf. This was fired one night by some of our present
sober-minded and anti-levity citizens, who were then boys. It
made a very handsome illumination, but the citizens were very
much shocked.
When the late Uncle Sam Jennings was warden he cut a crop
of hay from the ground. He had previously issued a proclama-
tion forbidding the obstruction of the highways of the village.
One afternoon he loaded his cart with the hay, but it being late
he left the load in the street for the night. A number of un-
known parties, in the fear of the law and with a most commenda-
))le regard for its integrity, drew the cart to the Pound in the
night, pitched the hay over into the enclosure, then took the
212 niSTOKY OF DANBURY.
cart to pieces, passed that over, and finislied up by reloading the
hay and leaving the whole within the Pound.
The feelings of Warden Jennings when he discovered the loca-
tion of his hay the next morning can easily be imagined, but he
issued no manifesto, nor offered any reward for the appi'ehen-
sion of the actoi's. He remembered where he had left his cart
the night before, and sOently went to work to pitch the hay out-
side, to take the cart apart and get that over, and then to put
the machinery together again and reload the hay.
That was in the " good old times."
danbuky's first irishman.
The first Irishman that ever came to Danbury was Peter
O' Brien, about seventy years ago. He located himself in Stony
Hill District just east of the school-house, and jiut up a genuine
shanty made of stone, clay, and turf, with a barrel for a chim-
ney, and was one of Danbuiy's greatest attractions in those
days. He kept a cow, pigs, and chickens that were always seen
hovering about the door, unless occasionally when Mrs. O'Brien
drove them away. Pleasure-seekers would frequently drive
that way to get a sight of his small retreat. He was like most
of his race, wdtty and full of fun, and invariably answered when
asked how he came over from Ireland, " Faith, and I come over
in a hoss cart."
Several anecdotes are related of him, one of which we will
give. He was a day laborer, and most of the time worked for
an old man by the name of Starr, in Beaver Brook, the father of
Colonel Elias Starr, who resided on the corner of Main and
Boughton streets in this village and kept a private school there.
Almost every day after school hours the colonel would ride out
to his old home, and on one occasion he saw a fine dog there
that belonged to Peter, which he was anxious to purchase.
Hogs were j)ermitted to run in the street then, and at times
annoyed the colonel very much. Peter would take $2 for the
dog. A bargain was made, and the dog was brought into town.
The next day after the purchase Mr. Starr saw several pigs in
his dooryard, rooting up his grounds, when he yelled for his
dog to chase them away. The dog ran around, jumped upon
his new master, but showed no disposition to go for them, for
the best reason in the world, the poor animal was totally blind.
HISTORY OF D ANBURY. 213
Forthwith the colonel started for Beaver Brook, where Peter
was at work, and in tones not to be misnnderstood wanted to
know why he did not tell him the dog was blind.
" I knowed ye'd find it aont," said Peter.
' ' You rascal, you said he would chase hogs, and he is as blind
as a bat," reiterated the colonel.
" I tole ye he would chase a hog as fur as he could see, and
faith he will, and it's no lie I'm telling ye."
The old man, Mr. Starr, was so pleased over it that he told
Peter (after the colonel left) that he would give him a bushel of
rye every year, as long as he lived, for cheating his son Elias^
who had been to college— and he did.
CHAPTER XXXI.
EXTRACTS FROM FKANCIS' HISTORY OF HATTING IN DANBURY.
It is said to be a sober fact in history that the first building
ever erected in this country as a hat shop was built in Danbury,
and the first hat ever made in these United States was made in
this town.
Be this as it may, certain it is that in the days of the Revolu-
tion, when our town was but a hamlet, when provincial's blade
was crossed with that of roj^alist, and a little phalanx of stout
hearts were contending for tlie inborn lights of man ; Avhen the
seeds of future glorious empii-e were being planted in the fur-
rows ploughed by the cannon-ball, harrowed in deeply by the
iron war-horse, the tramp of wheeling and charging columns,
moistened and enriched by the generous flow of the life blood of
patriots, we find in
1780. — Zadoc Benedict engaged in the less chivalric and bloody
occupation of maldug hats in a small red shop, standing near
the grounds now the site of the depot, in Main Street. With
limited resources and capital, he kept up the fire under his soli-
tary kettle, and employed to work up his " stock" the services
of one journeyman and two apprentices, turning off hats at the
rate of three per day, or one and a half dozen per week, two
hats being an average for a good workman in a day.
This is, according to the statement of some of our oldest citi-
zens, about the first that was done at hatting in Danbury, and
although hats had undoubtedly been made here long before
this, still we shall take this as the starting point and regard it as
the commencement of what has since proved an important and
extensive trade. . . .
1787.— Colonel Russell White and Oliver Burr,* fii-m of Buit &
* Oliver Burr was the youngest son of Colonel Andrew and Sarah (Sturges) Burr,
of Fairfield, Conn., where he was horn Novemher 10th, 1745. He was the maternal
grandfather of Mrs. Balmforth and the late William R. "White, also of the late
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 215
White, or 0. Burr & Co., carried on what was then considered
an extensive trade, employing thirty hands, variously engaged,
and turning off hats at the rate of fifteen dozen per week, or
seven hundred and fifty dozen per year. The hats of this period
were without elegance, being heavy, rough, and unwieldy. They
sold at from $6 to $10 each, enough to buy two or three fine hats
now. One man could make about nine hats per week, but the
process of making was very different from what it is now.
The manufacturer bought the skins in a bundle. The fur then
had to be taken fi'om them by hand and assorted. Then it was
bowed into " bats," with the old "bow," " pins," and " catgut,"
and these " bats" were made into hat bodies. After the hats
were made (everything being done by hand), they were dis-
tributed to the ladies living in the vicinity, in order to have the
hair that remained sticking in the nap removed by tweezers.
Among the men employed by Burr & White were Eli Benedict
and William Babcock, who afterward went to New Haven.
1791. — In the Farmers' Journal^ published at Danbury, in
this year, we find the following advertisement :
"to be sold by
o. burr & company,
one hundred weight of
good hat wool,
and several pairs of white
english rabbits,
Whose increase is amazingly fast and the skins for fur in great
demand, and their flesh of the most delicate kind ; and to con-
clude the whole of their excellencies, their keeping requires
nothing but vegetables, such as weeds, grass, potatoes, turnips,
etc., etc. They need no drink.
" Also, given as usual twenty pence per run for coarse woollen
yarn.
" Danbury, May 18th, 1791."
1800.— In Bobbins' s century sermon, delivered at Danbury,
January 1st, 1801, we find these remarks : " In the manufacture
Edgar S. Tweedy, and the paternal grandfather of the late Mrs. Lucius S. Hoyt.
When Colonel Aaron Burr was quite young he was placed by his father for a time
in the charge of Oliver Burr, who was his third cousin, to pursue his studies.
Oliver Burr died in Danbury, January 31st, 1797
216 HISTORY OF DANBUEY.
of hats this town (Danbury) miicli exceeds any one in the United
States. More than twenty thousand hats, mostly of fur, are
made annually for exportation."
1802. — The first hat store at the South in connection with
manufacturing at Danbury was established by two active and
well-known men (now deceased), Zalmon and Seymour Wildman.
They had one store at Charleston, S. C, firm of Z. & S. Wild-
man ; another at Savannah, Ga., firm of Wildmans & Hoags.
Zalmon Wildman manufactured in the shop of Zadoc Benedict,
after the decease of the latter in 1803. He also, some years
later, carried on quite extensively the finishing of hats for the
Southern market, near the grounds now the site of the Pah-
quioque Hotel in Main Street.
1803.— During this and following years Samuel H. Phillips,
George Benedict, David AVood, William Babcock, Ezra Wild-
man, Ebenezer and John D. Nichols, Boughton & Starr, and
others carried on hatting in different i')arts of the township. The
fashionable hat of this year was six inches deep and two-inch
brim.
1805. — Clark & Benedict carried on the hatting business in the
red building situated in West Street, and now occupied as a
dwelling. Gersham Nichols, at the same time, in a building
near the residence of Oliver Stone in Main Street.
1807. — Noah Rockwell commenced manufacturing wdth his
" plank" shop in the cellar of the house now occupied by Mrs.
Rosaboom, in Franklin Street ; also Hoyt Gregory had a shop
in West Street. All these maniifacturers carried on the business
on a limited scale, employing, probably, from seven to eight
hands each, and turning off hats at the rate of four or five dozen
per week, or two hundi'ed and fifty dozen per year. Among the
men in the employ of Hoyt Gregory were James Seal and
Thomas Peck, who eventually engaged in an extensive business
at Boston.
In a plank-room, small and inconvenient, gathered around one
kettle, heated by means of a furnace filled with wood under-
neath, you will find three or four men pulling and hauling the
bodies of coarse fur, which had been formed, not by a machine
at the rate of thirty jier hour, but by theii' own hands at the
rate of one per hour. A contrast, indeed ; but more of this ere
we close the sketch.
Giles M. Hciyt Wm. K. White. Chaki.E3 Benedict.
EODORE S. TWEEDV. A. EllWAlil) TWEEDV. Wm. H. TWEEDY.
\Vm. B. Wildman. Wm. Montgomery.
John T. Dasn. David D. Wilu.man. Thomas E. Tweedy.
HISTORY OF DANBUEY. 217
1808-1809. — There were fifty-six hat shops in operation in the
township of Daubury, averaging from three to five men each.
Many farmers were interested in the trade, setting up a kettle
and hiring journeymen.
1812.— We have our venerable citizen, now president of the
Danbury Bank, Samuel Tweedy (who went into business as early
as 1800), and James Benedict, firm of Tweedy & Benedict, carry-
ing on business in a shop situated on the ground where the house
of Mrs. Sprague now stands, corner of Main and Elm streets.
Hands employed thirty. During the war the trade between hat
dealers and the Northwest Company was cut off. John Jacob
Astor sold at auction, in the city of New York, a large quantity
of furs which had been seized. James Benedict, hearing of the
sale, attended and bought five bales (one thousand pounds) of
" old coat beaver" at $1 per pound. The price immediately
advanced to $5 per jiound.
We must remember that at this time hat finishing was a very
small part of the trade here — in fact, hardly any hats were sent
to market finished and trimmed, but were sent in the " rough"
to the city, there to be made ready for sale. In this year a
machine was invented for blowing fur, and first used in Messrs.
Tweedy & Benedict's establishment. It consisted of a wire
di'um, in which the fur was placed, and the machine moved with
a crank by hand. Small, simple, and imperfect, it was thought
to be an important invention at that time ; now it would be
laughed at as a child's plaything.
1814. — Judson and Russell White, firm of White Brothers,
conducted a large business (then) in a shop opposite the old fac-
tory now occupied by Crosby, Hoyt & Co. Capital invested,
$50,000. Hands employed, about fifty, making probably about
two hundi-ed dozen hats per month, or two thousand dozen per
annum. This firm had a warehouse in the city, where the hats
were sent to be sold.
Among those who learned the trade with the White Brothers
was Starr Nichols, Esq., now deceased, who afterward became a
prominent townsman, contributing in a great measure to the
advancement and building up of Danbury. Soon after his
" time was out" he commenced business for himself. Doing
very little at first, but steadily increasing, he pushed forward
with that zeal which ever afterward formed so prominent a trait
218 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
in Ms character, until when the White Brothers retired from
business he took their place, and carried it on with increased
energy, employing fifty "makers." He met with several re-
verses of fortune, but at the time of his death (ISfiG) was engaged
in a lucrative business in a hat store in New York City, and
to-day he is remembei-ed as one of the most prominent men in
the trade. His benevolence and active perseverance are well
worth imitating.
1816. —Two of our citizens, R. & E. T. Hoyt, merchants in the
place, receiving, as the custom was, hats in exchange for their
goods, taking a few hats went South and opened a store at
Charleston, S. C. The hats were made by Tweedy & Benedict,
and finished partly in the old finishing shop yet standing on the
comer of Main and Franklin streets. The Messrs. Hoyt began
on a small scale, the sales at first amounting to but $15,000 or
$20,000 per year, but as the trade increased in importance
throughout the country, they took advantage of it, and through
their efforts was built up a large establishment, increasing until
at one period the yearly sales reached $100,000. The business
continued in the hands of some of the Hoyt family, until the
death of John R. Hoyt (son of Russell), and is yet in active opera-
tion under F. T. Fanning. David H. Bougliton was the first
partner taken into the firm, and the following individuals were
from time to time connected with the same house : David M.
Benedict, Edgar S. Tweedy, F. T. Fanning, Lucius P. Hoyt,
and A. E. Tweedy. This hat store was connected with manufac-
turing in Daabury up to 1854, and affords an example of pros-
perity and continued success, with close attention to business as
the clause.
In the fall of the same year, 1816, Zalmon Wildman (who, as
before mentioned, was engaged in the Southern trade as early
as 1802) with Ezra M. Starr— the latter still one of our most re-
spected and influential citizens— started another hat store in
Charleston. This firm also commenced with about $20,000 as
the yearly sales, but an enterprise like this in the hands of siich
thorough and active business men could but succeed. They were
soon firmly established, and went on extending their trade and
enlarging theu- operations until we have as the amount of sales
per annum, $60,000. Hats worth here $90 per dozen were taken
South and sold at $120 per dozen.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 219
1817. — Captain John Foot, with one Mr. Hodge, manufac-
tured hats for the firm of Wildman & Starr, employing six or
eight men, and getting up about six hundred dozen per annum.
Elias Boughton, Abel Hoyt, and others carried on hatting in
Danbury about this time. The hats were then eight or nine
ounces in weight. The price for making them — tliat is, the
Eussia hat— was 92 cents, or os. and 6d. Yankee currency.
The manner in which hats were packed and sent to the market
deserves mention. Two hats were taken and rolled wp together
in a paper, then put into a linen bag, and in this shape, to the
number of six or eight dozen, they were put into a leathern sack ;
they were then ready for transportation to the city by stage.
In bowing hats by hand, the Saxony and other fine wools
could not be used, consequently the home material and all coarse
wools were used in making the very few wool hats required.
1818. — A machine was constructed for bowing hats. It was
of wood, dish-shaped, somewhat after the pattern of an old-fash-
ioned fanning mill, and took in enough for two bats at a time.
This was thought to be a great improvement, but upon thorough
trial it did not work well, and workmen continued to use the
"bow," "catgut," and "pins." John Fry and Alvin Hurd
went into the manufacture of fine beaver hats.
1820.— Mr. Hurd left the firm and Ephraim Gregory became
associated with Mr. Fry. They immediately established a hat
store at Charleston, which afforded a good market for many
years. This hat store was kept open until the firm closed up
their business in 1838.
1821.— Grant, of Providence, R. I., took out a patent for form-
ing wool hat bodies with the vibrating and revolving cone, but
the revolving cone had in reality been invented before by one
Mason, of New Hampshu-e. This rendered Grant's patent in
valid. He, therefore, upon Mason's threatening a law-suit, de-
stroyed his fii'st patent, claiming in turn only the vibration,
according to an act of Congress passed a short time before. The
vibration was an improvement as far as this. In Mason's inven-
tion the wool coming in a web from the machine woiind itself
straight round the cone, leaving a hole in the " tip" after the
body was formed ; then, too, when the bodies came to be
' ' planked' ' they were found to be compact and firm one way
only, whereas in Grant's method, in consequence of the cone
220 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
vibrating and revolving at the same time, the web was spread
around, thus avoiding the hole in the tip and rendering the body-
strong and compact. Soon after, Alvin Hurd being in Provi-
dence, Mr. Niram Wildman (an old and respected citizen) sent
there requesting Mr. Hurd to negotiate with Grant for the pur-
chase of a right. Grant i-efused to sell, alleging that the machine
was not yet brought to perfection. Mr. Wildman then went to
Providence himself, from whence, after having thoroughly ex-
amined Grant's patent, he returned, and in connection with Rory
Starr constructed the more improved and scientific double cone
for forming two hat bodies at once. Grant, in concert with
Townsend, the chief stockholder, then brought a suit against
Wildman for infringement of patent. The case was appointed
to come on at New Haven, but when the parties met a compro-
mise was entered into, in which Mr. Wildman was to have, for a
stipulated sum, and the benefit of the improvement, the use of
two machines. The suit being withdrawn, Mr. Wildman imme-
diately put up one of his machines in the old factorj^ on Main
Street, and commenced the forming of wool hat bodies, con-
tinuing in the business until 1844, during the last three years of
this time forming large quantities for Eli White, Esq., of Water
Street, New York.
The other machine was loaned to a Mr. Sprague, who put it
up in the Sturdevant factory, a little out of the village. The
wool bodies were taken and napped with fur, making the well-
known ' ' napped hats' ' then in vogue. In forming hats by this
machine all fine wool could be used, and the Saxony was much
in demand. The machine in its perfection would form hat bodies
at the rate of three hundred per day.
1822.— Up to this time the manner of coloring hats was as fol-
lows : The hats were taken from the plank shop and placed, two
or three dozen at a time, in a round kettle, from which they were
taken by hand once every half hour until the operation was
completed, which generally took from eighteen to twenty hours.
It was very tedious to watch the kettle so long, but many things
were resorted to to wliile away the hours, and often after mid-
night, when all was still, the old colorman would indulge in a
roast chicken (there were roosts about), with perhaps a little
different liquor than that contained in the dye kettle to wash it
down. The first invention of any importance in this line con-
HISTORY OF DANBUBT. 221
sisted of a square kettle with two sacks ; these were filled with
hats and let into the kettle and drawn out by a tackle made for
the purpose, so that while one sack was in the liquor the other
was out on the "dripping-board." This was thought to be,
and in reality was, an improved method, but was entirely super-
seded by an invention of Joel Taylor, * a hat manufacturer and
native of our village, made somewhere about this time (1822).
Six dozen hats were placed upon a large wheel with jjins and
turned by a crank ; the ' ' dye-stuff' ' was contained in a copper
kettle, shaped like a half moon, imderneath. The hats on one
half the wheel were in the liquor receiving color, while those on
the other half were out cooling. When the colorman wished to
reverse this he had only to turn the crank. This manner of col-
oring hats, though very simple, took the lead of all the rest, and
in all the country there was a great demand for "Taylor's
wheel." It was in general use for many years, and may be
found in numbers of small shops at the present day. Mr. Taylor
has the names of some two hundred persons to whom he sold
rights to his coloring wheel, and the amount realized by liim
altogether reached $5000 ; but as the business increased and
everything else connected with it was carried on in an extensive
manner, it was found that some other way must be devised by
which to color the immense number of hats turned off. In the
present mode the hats, with the exception of a few of finer qual-
ity, are thrown promiscuously, withoiit blocks, into an immense
kettle filled with "dye-stiiff," heated by steam, where, on
account of an improvement in the liquor, they are colored in a
few hours. Fifty dozen are colored at one time by this method.
1824. — Among the manufacturers of this period were Isaac H.
Seeley, White & Keeler, Hatch & Gregory, Joseph Taylor,
Hugh Starr, and Taylor & Dibble.
1825. — Fry, Gregory & Co. conducted at this time an extensive
trade, working up $80,000 worth of stock per annum ; capital
* Joel Taylor, a direct descendant of Thomas Taylor, one of the first settlers of
Danbury, was born February 18th, 1795, and died June 8tb, 1870, aged 75 years.
He was a son of Joshua, who was an officer in the War of the Revolution. From
Barber's " Historical Collections of Connecticut" we quote the following ; " The
Hatter's circular Dye Kettle and Wheel was invented in Danbury in 1833, by Mr.
Joel Taylor. It is a most important invention for Hatters, and has come into gen-
eral use both in this country and Europe." James S. Taylor and Mrs. Adelaide
Holden, of Danbury, are his children.
222 HISTORY OF DANBUET.
invested, $50,000 ; hands employed at making, thirty ; trim-
ming, ten. Tliis firm also had a store (now occupied by Mr.
Osborne) in West Street, where the hands employed traded,
receiving orders instead of cash for their work.
In 1833, Fry, Gregory & Co. sold out their make-shop to Will-
iam Montgomery, who had commenced hatting in 1832 with
Edward S. Brockett. Mr. Montgomery made the hats for Fry,
Gregory & Co., who having finished and trimmed them, sent
them to their store in Charleston for sale. Mr. Montgomery
carried on the fur hat trade until 1853, when buOding a large
factory in connection with the biiildings already on the ground,
he entered into the manufacture of wool hats, in company with
Charles Benedict and Jarvis P. Hull. Mr. Hull soon with-
drew from the firm, and it is now that of Benedict & Mont-
gomery.
From an old bill dated New York, June 5th, 1825, we find
that Joel Taylor bought of E. & H. Raymond one hundred
Spanish wool bodies at 34 cents apiece.
1830. — At some period prior to this year the silk hat was in-
vented by a Chinaman. The Nouelllste of Roiien narrates the
following in relation to it : " M. Botta, son of one of the profes-
sors at the Academy of Caen, an intrepid traveller and confinned
archaeologist, one of the discoverers of the ruins of Nineveh,
undertook a journey to China, and lived some time at Canton.
This was prior to 1830. He used to wear there a beaver hat in
the European fashion, which suited him so well that he was un-
willing to change it. However, when it was worn out he applied
to a Chinese hatter, and giving him all sorts of directions told
him to make another like it. The man went to work, and in a
few days brought a hat of the required shape, not of beaver, but
of some stuff very soft and glossy. M. Botta, on his return to
France, preserved this curious specimen of Chinese workman-
ship, and wishing to have it repaired, intrusted it to a hatter,
who examined it carefully, and was much struck with its mode
of fabrication, which was altogether new to him. He examined
the article with the greatest attention, and in a short time the
fashion of silk hats came in. The inventor patented his dis-
covery, and made a large fortune, but held his tongue about his
debt to the Chinese tradesman, who, seeking a substitute for the
beaver which he could not procure, devised the plan of replacing
HISTORY OF DANBUBY. 223
it by tlie light tissue of silk. " The silk hat, therefore, had a
"Celestial" birth.
1835. — Mr. Alvin Hurd, having learned the art of making silk
hats from two Englishmen in the city of New York, returned
here and set up the business in the shop of Starr Nichols, manu-
facturing for the firm of Swift & Nichols, with five men em-
ployed, thus introducing into Danbury the art of making silk
hats. This branch of the trade increased so that in fact it be-
came the most popular one of the day, and in the years inter-
vening between 1840 and 1850 was carried on almost exclusively,
Messrs. Tweedy & White, William Montgomery, N. H. Wild-
man, and others beiag engaged in it. After 1850 it gradually
decreased, and now nothing is done here at this bi-anch, the soft
hat taking its place.
During 1835 and several following years, Messrs. Pry & Greg-
ory, together with Samuel Sproulls, kept in operation a large
wholesale establishment in New York City.
1836-37. — These times will be remembered by many, but by
none more clearly than by the mechanics employed in hatting in
those days. A general stagnation occurred in the money market,
banks suspended specie payment, factories were closed, heavy
failures in every community overwhelmed business men, all
trades seemed to be paralyzed, j)ro visions and the necessaries of
life rose to an alarming price, poverty was common, and utter
ruin seemed to threaten the entire nation. Hatting in Danbury
was, of course, very dull, hundreds being out of employment at
their trade for a whole year, doing whatever they could find to
do in order to earn food for their destitute families. An instance
may be mentioned. It being necessary to remove the water-pipe
running through Main Street, a company of hatters were hired
at $1 per day to perform the job, and set to digging. One man
receiving for his first day's work a silver dollar, went and in-
vested it in twelve pounds of flour. This job was considered by
them all as a lucky affair. The trade received a heavy blow,
and when it commenced again it was a long time before confi-
dence was restored and former prosperity returned, and employ-
ers and employed continued to feel the efi'ects of its utter pros-
tration for years.
1840. — Hoyt, Tweedy & Co. had a factory at the north end of
Main Street, and were also connected with the hat store estab-
224 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
lished at Charleston by the Hoyts in 1816. Since 1840, under
Edgar S. Tweedy, John R. Hoyt, F. T. Fanning, Lucius Hoyt,
A. E. Tweedy, William R. White, and others, the firm has been
known successively as that of Hoyt, Tweedy & Co., Tweedy,
Hoyt & Co., Tweedy & Hoyt, A. E. Tweedy & Co., Tweedy &
White, and now (since 1857) Tweedy, White & Co.
1841. — After the napped hats had gone out of fashion, Messrs.
Nii'am WUdman and John Fry went to Roxbury for the purpose
of getting information concerning the wool hatting. They called
on Colonel Lathrop in that place, who was then considered the
best manufacturer of wool hats in this section of the country.
Having obtained the necessary information, Messrs. Wildman &
Fry returned and commenced the manufacture of wool hats in
the old building some time since removed from the grounds of
Mr. Fry, employing five men as makers and two women as
trimmers, turning off from eight to ten dozen per day, the bodies
being formed in the "old factory." Wildman & Fry subse-
quentlj^ sold out to Charles Fry and David Wildman, who con-
tinued the manufacture in a building in Main Street, since
removed.
Since that time wool hatting has steadily increased in im-
portance, and at the present time several of our largest and most
flourishing establishments ai'e solely engaged in the manufacture
of wool hats, which find a ready market, and the demand for
which is still on the increase.
We have then several distinct eras in the trade, a succession
of monarchs, as it were, that in their turn flourished and re-
signed.
1845. — About this year a machine for forming fur hat bodies
was patented by Wells, of the firm of Wells & Redfield, New
York, and soon after improved upon by Burr, St. John & Tay-
lor. The principle on which it was constructed was very simple.
This machine and its operation may be described as follows : The
fur, weighed out and contained in a box with compartments
near at hand, is taken out and fed on an apron, working on
rollers about four feet from the main machine, by which it is
carried to a brush cylinder, concealed from view, eight or ten
inches in diameter, and making thirty-two hundred revolutions
per minute. Passing through this, it is forced with great veloc-
ity through a copper mouthpiece, pyramidical in shape, on to a
McPhlemt Bros. Bi:ildikq.
Tread
VF.LL Bl-ii.i
COWTERTHWAITE BiriLDING.
Ti.
V.N Cl.VE.
Harris BtiiLDmo.
Dan
Bl-RY New
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 225
cone made of copper or zinc, perforated with minute holes and
steadily turning round. Directly underneath this cone is a
blower twelve inches in diameter, revolving fifteen hundred
times per minute. This creates a vacuum, properly speaking,
exhausting the air from under the cone, and consequently caus-
ing the fur to collect upon it as it is forced out by the blower.
When just enough has been fed on to form the body, the feeder
is stopped. When the body is all formed, a cloth is wrapped
about it, while another cone, called the mail, is placed over
both ; the whole is then (by a simple contrivance) dipped into a
tub standing near filled with warm water heated by steam.
After it has been dipped the mail is taken off, the cloth removed,
and upon turning the cone upside down the hat drops off. It is
then i^assed between two u'on rollers, or wrung out by hand,
then rolled in a cloth, and after undergoing the process of hard-
ening is ready for the planks. As soon as the body has been
taken from it, the cone is wijaed with a dry cloth, to remove the
water adhering, that it may not destroy the vacuiim, and it is
then in a condition to form another hat body. Four attendants
are required to each machine : a girl to feed on the fur, a boy to
tend the cone, replacing one as soon as the other is removed,
a man to carry off, do the dipping, etc., and one man to wring
out the bodies and harden them. The average time required in
which to form a hat body is two minutes, or at the rate of thirty
per hour by one machine.
The improvement of Burr, St. John & Taylor consisted of the
mouthpiece with the adjustable top, an iron which can be raised
or lowered, shaping the mouthpiece (which being copper is easily
bent), so as to throw the fur on to the cone as the operator may
require. In the first invention it was necessary for the attendant
to hold a piece of pasteboard before the fur as it came out, rais-
ing and lowering it as the case demanded. Great attention had
then to be given to the work, and frequent examination was
necessary in order to ascertain the lay of the fur. The mouth-
piece with the adjustable top was then a decided imjirovement.
Like aU other inventions this had to work against a strong prej-
udice, and it was some time, even after it was improved ui)on,
ere it was firmly established and ranked among the inventions
really useful and worthy of patronage.
1846-47. —These were hard years for hatters, and many were
226 HISTOEY OF DANBURY.
out of employment for some time. Numbers hired out to farmers
during the haying season and the time of harvest, but as times
became more brislv they again found employment in the shops
and the trade went on. Nathaniel H. Wildman was at this time
manufacturing fur hats. He kept up the manufacture until a
few years smce, and is now engaged in a hat store at Augusta,
Ga. Truman Trowbridge and Frederick Nichols each employed
a number of hands.
1849.— Mr. Nathan Benedict came from New York with one of
the fur hat forming machines. When it was rumored that such
a machine was to be brought here it created considerable excite-
ment among the mechanics in the trade, and when it actually did
arrive a majority of hatters were opposed to it. It was put up
by Mr. Benedict in the old Hurlbut factory as an experiment,
under the patronage of A. E. Tweedy & Co., but very little was
done the first year, and the enterprise progressed slowly ; but as
the public confidence in it was strengthened the old prejudice
died out, and its popularity increased. Other machines were
put up, and year after year the business of hat forming increased,
iintil we have now eight of these machines in oj^eration in the
establishment of Messrs. Tweedy, White & Co. alone. Such in-
ventions as this made a great revolution in the trade, altering
and remodelling very much the system and process of making
hats, doing way with much hand labor, and enabling manufac-
turers to fill out their contracts more readUy.
1850. — During this year a needed reform in the manner of con-
ducting the business was brought about. We refer to the intro-
duction of the cash system. Prior to this tune the business had
been cari-ied on almost entu-ely by the trade system. The work-
man, instead of receiving cash as a return for his labor, obtained
an " order" on some one of the merchants in the place, and tak-
ing this with him he would present it like a check at the bank,
and receive, not the hard cash, but certain articles of which he
might stand in need ; so there was not a merchant in Danbury
but was in some measure concerned or interested in the hatting
business, many of them taking payment in hats, shipping them
to New York for sale. Most of the transactions between the
diiierent firms were also carried on by trade. The trade or order
system was an inconvenient and crippling management for both
manufacturers and workmen, but more especially for the latter,
HISTOEY OF DANBURY. 227
tending, as it did, to leave the balance of power in the hands of
the former, destroying the equality that exists in a measure at
the present time. When the cash system was spoken of, one
man is said to have exclaimed, in view of the coming event,
" When we get all cash, where in the world shall I find means
to obtain my coloring liquor ?" He had been so used to paying
for it in exchange or trade, that to his mind it seemed at first
thought impossible to buy or obtain it in any other manner,
even though the almighty dollar be brought into the arrange-
ment.
The cash system was found to work finely ; besides more amply
and satisfactorily rewarding the mechanic for his labor, it gave
greater facilities to manufacturers, infused new life into the
trade, and removed the heavy shackles that had stayed its
progress.
The cash system, in fact, made an entu'e revolution in the
moneyed interests and financial operations of our village, and
opened a wider avenue for all kinds of business, and a more
extensive field for the hitherto crippled energies of the whole
community. We may set down the introduction of the cash
system, then, as an important event, not only in the history of
hatting, but also in the history of Danbury.
1852. — S. A. Brower & Co. started the business of paper -box
making in Danbury. Until the soft hat came into use hats
were packed in wooden cases alone. Now one dozen hats are
placed in a paper box, and these to the number of six are placed
in a wooden case. This mode of packing hats for transportation
is a little more expensive than the former, but it is at the same
time more safe, neat, and convenient.
Mr. E. S. Davis, who bought out Brower & Co. in 1852, now
carries on the business quite extensively. At first the demand
was very small, but as the manufacture of soft hats increased so
did that of paper boxes. Mr. Davis now occupies the whole of
the new building seventy by thirty, and three stories high (near
Tweedy Brothers). Capital invested, $7000 ; sales per annum,
$25,000 ; paid out to hands per month, $200 ; hands employed,
eleven ; boards or straw paper used per annum, 125 tons ; num-
ber of paper boxes of all sizes made per annum, 216,000. The
" boards" are manufactured in the neighboring towns of Brook-
field, Newtown, and New Milford.
228 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
Danbury has also been the theatre of some of the most orig-
inal and important inventions in the way of making hats by
machinery.
3853. — James S. Taylor, of this town, patented his machines
for felting or sizing hats, to which their originality and perfect
operation has been satisfactorily applied. These machines have
been introduced into general use among the best and most ex-
tensive wool hat manufacturers in the United States. The
largest single day's work performed by these machines was, prob-
ably, in the shop of Wildman & Crosby, in 1856, they having
sized on two sets of machines fifty -four dozen hats in one day,
the machines being operated by four men working only ten
hours.
A Frenchman, J. Baptiste Lacille by name, and many others
have invented machines for sizing hats, and sold their patents
for large sums ; but the machines failed, not having been brought
to perfection, and the Taylor machines have taken the place
of all.
1854. — The firm of Crosby, Hoyt & Co. was formed in this
year for the manufacture of wool hats. The partners were
Judah P. Crosby, Henry T. Hoyt, and William B. Wildman.
The two partners, Crosby & Wildman, made wool hats in a build-
ing just north of the bridge on Main Street on the west side.
This building was a grist-mill as early as 1792, afterward a sat-
inet factory, and then used for forming wool hat bodies by
Niram Wildman, later for the forming and linishing of wool
hats.
The new firm built the main part of the factory now occupied
by Rundle & White on B,iver Street. On the death of Mr. Wild-
man he was succeeded by his son, Alfred N. Wildman. The
business was carried on iintil 1862, when, on the breaking out
of the war, a large portion of their debtors being merchants of
the South and Southwest, they were obliged to give iip business.
1855. — Abijah Abbott commenced the manufacture of band-
boxes for Messrs. Benedict & Montgomery. Mr. Abbott now
employs four hands, making thirty thousand large paper boxes
per year, and consuming fifty tons of boards per annum. His
sales amount to $5000 per annum. In this shop we were kindly
shown a machine for cutting and creasing the paper boards, in-
vented by Elizur E. Clark, the great New Haven match manu-
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 229
facturer. It was originally intended for making match-boxes,
but being perfected, was patented for its present use in 1857.
The machine feeds itself, and has thirteen knives, which can be
regulated so as to cut strips from the sixteenth of an inch to any
required width. The machine is highly finished, nicely adjusted
in all its parts, and was obtained at a cost of $375.
The making of wooden cases is a large item, and three firms —
George Starr, George Stevens & Co., and Kaymond & Ambler-
are constantly employed, the former in addition setting up fur
blowers, making and repairing blocks, and manufacturing all
kinds of hatters' tools.
Another item is that of tip-printing. This consists in stamp-
ing the design on the tip found in every hat. Dies or stamps
of numerous patterns are used, and the vignettes are printed in
gold leaf, Dutch metal, or printer's ink, according to the quality
of the hat for wliich they are intended. Hats are now gener-
ally bound by sewing-machines. When they were bound by
hand, ten or fifteen minutes were required in which to bind a
single hat. It is now done by the machine in one half minute.
1857.— The " panic" of 1857 is still fresh in the minds of all.
Of course Danbury, like all other places where much capital was
invested, felt the panic keenly.
In no particular has there been more changes than in the shape
and appearance of the hat. In early times, of which we have
spoken, hats were made upon blocks entirely round, conse-
quently when a man turned off a hat it was the celebrated one,
nine inches deep with one and one half inch brim, the beU-
crowned specimens of which appear once in a while worn by
some rustic genius, or some aged stickler for the customs of his
fathers, awakening in our mind thoughts of the " olden time."
Save these few that we see now and then, and a few more lying,
covered with the dust of years, in old garrets, these relics of
bygone times and the crude days of hat-making are no more.
Having finished Mr. Francis's " History of Hatting," we look
now over the ground he went over, and find many changes since
he %\Tote. There are also some points of which he was not in-
formed. First, as regards fur-forming machines. In a suit
against G. E. Cowperthwaite, brought by H. A. Burr et al., of
which more hereafter, we find that the Burr machine, so called,
was not the first fur-former invented. Mr. Wells, the patentee.
230 HISTOKY OF DANBURT.
took his idea from a successful fur-former then jiatented and in
operation in England, and secured a patent only ahead of the
English inventor, because the latter neglected to properly pre-
pare his papers of application.
Previous to this, in 1843, one WiUiam Foskett, of Meriden,
had invented a machine for forming hats. It was a combination
of the catgut bow and the present former. The feeder spread
his fur upon an apron, as now. This was carried on until it
reached where is now the picker. In Foskett' s machine a catgut
string was stretched across the apron in place of the picker ; the
string being vibrated by a series of wooden fingers disintegrated
the fur and thi-ew it through a trunk upon a cone as now. The
cone, however, was of ruder workmanship. After the removal
of the cone (the hat being formed) it was hardened on the cone
without wetting, by an operation not necessary to describe.
This machine of Foskett's was a perfect, practical machine, but
lie, lacking capital and health, had to let the matter drop. One
of them was brought to Danbury subsequently and used by Mr.
Cowperthwaite.
In 1856 Alvah B. Taylor, of New York, invented and patented
a machine for forming, which is known here as the Cowjier-
thwaite machine. In this the cones — for there were three used
— were placed on the sides of a pyramidal stand, irnder which
was the exhaust fan. These cones were constantly revolving,
horizontally to the picker. The fur, fed by a boy on an apron
as in the Burr machine, was blown on the cone. After it was
all on, the pyramid revolved one third of the circle, and another
cone was covered. The first cone was covered with an outer
cone, somewhat larger, and a jiggering motion given it. When
the second cone was covered with fur the stand again revolved,
bringing the first cone around to the boy, who continued the jig-
gering motion by hand. When the third cone was formed (the
second, in the mean while, following the operation of the first) a
slight blast of air was let into the first cone, and the outer cover-
ing came off with the partially hardened hat inside. The cone
then passed iinder the picker again, and so on. In 1857 this
machine was brought to Danbury by Mr. Cowperthwaite and
placed in the old Hurlburt factory. Soon after it was removed
to the Shelter Rock factory. In 1859 this factory was burned,
and Mr. Cowperthwaite purchased of Darius Stevens the build-
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 231
ing tlien used by Stevens as a carpenter shojj, on White Street.
Co wperthwaite purcliased Taylor' s interest in the machine, and was
then sued by H. A. Burr, on the ground that the Cowperthwaite
machine was an infringement on his. During the suit Burr got
a temporary injunction against Cowperthwaite using the machine,
and it was at this time that the Foskett machine was used here.
This injunction was soon dissolved, and Cowperthwaite won the
suit. He then sold the machine to Burr for $100,000. The
White Street factory was closed in 1860.
In 1860 what is known as the James S. Taylor machine was
patented. This was really the invention of Lyman Piatt,
but Taylor perfected it, and Piatt got out a patent. The inven-
tion consisted in inverting the cone in the exhaust table, and
forming the hat on the inside instead of the outside, as now.
The first one was put up in the Sturdevant factory in Beaver
Brook. E. A. Mallory also had one, two were in use in New-
ark, and four in Brooklyn. The omnipresent Burr took a shy
at this machine also, and got beaten. Then he purchased it,
and in 1868 Arthur Nichols having an interest in the
machine, the two consolidated.
The Gill machine was another candidate for public favor.
This is on the plan of the Burr, except that the feed-apron is
higher, and the cone is placed in a balloon-shaped chamber.
The fur is blown from the picker into the chamber, j)erfectly dis-
integrated. The exhaust being greater at the base of the cone
than at the tip, the fur is laid on evenly, as in the Burr machine.
The first machine of this patent was erected in the Hurlburt fac-
tory, which seems to have quite a distinction in the matter of
being the scene of the location of first machines.
The Burr machine has not been improved upon, excejjt in the
making of the frame stronger, and consequently more able to
bear the higher rate of speed at which it is now run. Mr. Fran-
cis says the capacity of the machine in 1845 was one hat in two
minutes. Now one hat a minute is the capacity.
The changes in the trade, so far as the introduction of labor-
saving machinery is concerned, have been enormous since Mr.
Francis's history closed. This was a necessity, and it was fore-
seen by inventive minds years ago that machinery would have
to take the place of manual labor, if the trade would keep pace
with the demands. Busy brains have toiled, and from them
232 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
have emanated a thousand devices, some worthless, many having
good ideas but lacking perfection, while a few have been of
practical benefit.
Pouncing machines were first constructed in Danbury in 1865
by Sidney S. Wheeler and Daniel B. Manley, who obtained a
patent for the same in August, 1866. About the same time a
jDatent was granted to Emile Nougaret, of Newark, N. J., and
improvements on the same were patented by John L. Labiaux
and P. W. Vail, of Newark, in 1867.
Machines for stretching the brims of hat bodies were first in-
vented by W. R. Fenn, of New Milford, in 1869. These machines
consisted of two pairs of conical rollers, revohang at different
rates of speed, through which the brim of the hat was passed.
These machines were introduced in Danbury by James S. Tay-
lor, but proved of little value.
During the last thirty years attempts have been made in this
towTi and elsewhere to size fur hats by machinery. Machines
have been imported from France and England, and scores of
them invented in this country, and quite a large number in this
town. Every manufacturer has tried and abandoned several,
and until recently the difficulty has seemed no nearer solution
than ever. For a few years an English machine has been in
use for second sizing, which has proved quite successful.
In December, 1878, another vast improvement in labor-saving
machinery was introduced. It was a machine for shaving hats,
manufactured by Osterheld & Eickemeyer, of Yonkers, N. Y.
A hat body is j)laced upon a padded board just the shape of the
hat, and large enough to make the hat fit snugly to it. Upon
this descends a knife of the same shape as those used by hand,
and a jigging motion being given to the knife, the hat rolls
around under it, the knife shaving off the hair and coarse fur as
cleanly and neatly as by hand. The machine will shave fifty
dozen per day. They were first iised here by Nichols & Hine
and the Tweedy Manufacturing Company.
Mr. Francis's history was closed in 1860. There were then
but eight manufacturers of fur and wool hats in Danbury.
In 1860 there were two firms of the Tweedys— Tweedy, White &
Co. and Tweedy Brothers. In 1864 the first firm was changed to
T. E. & E. Tweedy, and the second was changed to WUliam H.
Tweedy in 1861. In 1867 both these firms were merged into one
V.'i
1, \V. STEVENS.
Orlando Wilcox.
Joel T.\\i.or.
Li .
II - S. WlLDJlAN.
W>i
Geokce Anduews.
:. D. Hoiints.
WM. StoFlELl).
TRl-M.iX Trowbridge.
.Tacoi
! Fry.
. n. Franiis.
HISTORY OF DANBUUY. 233
under the name of Tweedy & Co., and after four years of busi-
ness a stock company was formed under the name of the Tweedy
Manufacturing Company. In May, 1890, the firm of White,
Tweedy & Smythe succeeded to the business, and are the present
firm.
Giles M. Hoyt's factory in 1860 was in Grassy Plain, which
was then a part of Danbury. In 1874 Mr. Hoyt removed to White
Street, and in 1878 he moved again to the old laiindry building
near the Danbury and Norwalk Eailway.
A. T. Peck in the winter of 1863 was engaged in hatting with
his brother-in-law, Anson Taylor, in the old comb factory which
stood on the site of Beckerle & Co.'s factories. Mr. Taylor
had Just received a patent for combining pieces of waste silk with
fur, and they were manufacturing hats under this patent. It
was said that a hat, after being " jacked ui3," was made to look
like a silk hat, and at a much less cost. They were made in all
styles. Mr. Taylor died soon after the manufacture began, and
Mr. Peck then went out of business.
The Union Hat Company, composed of W. H. Youngs, H. C.
Ely, Kellogg Nichols, and Cyrus Raymond, started in that build-
ing in 1869. In 1872 they discontinued business. It was occu-
pied between this time and 1875 by Casper Zeigler, and in that
year William Beckerle took possession. In 1876, after taldng
into partnership C. H. Piex, T. F. Fay, and J. H. Shuldice,
he removed to the old comb shop near Pahquioque Avenue.
This shop soon proved too small for the firm, and from
time to time they added to their capacity by building
numerous additions and erecting small buildings for make-
shops, coloring-shop, etc. In December, 1879, the establishment
was totally destroyed by fire. Work was immediately resumed
and new factories built, which are in active operation to-day.
In 1865 J. D. Meeker began business as a hatter in a factory
on Canal Street. This building for a few months previous
had been used by journeymen hatters who took out work from
our larger firms for manipulation in one branch only. They
were not what might be called manufacturing hatters, and for
that reason we have not secured their names. In 1877 this fac-
tory was completely destroyed, and the next year the present
commodious and enlarged building was completed and occupied
by D. W. Meeker, a brother'of the first-named.
234 HISTORY OF danbury.
Mr. Francis, by some means, received no information concern-
ing liatting in Mill Plain. As early as 1844 Ransom Brothwell,
father of Theodore Brothwell, had a shop situated on the fann
of Oliver Burchard.
The next we find of hatting in that hamlet is a shop ran by
P. A. Sntton. This changed hands many times, being owned
successively by A. Solomon, Harry Jennings & Son, and Stone &
Downs. The latter were burned out in 1867, and Mr. Downs
then retired. Benjamin Stone then built the shop now occu-
pied by H. M. Senior & Son, run it for about nine months, and
then went to New Jersey. C. B. Prindle occupied it next for
about six months, and Senior bought it in 1871. John Harvey
was his partner for one year.
In 1866 C. B. Prindle and Edward Gage took out work to
size. The original shop stood just west of the present building.
In 1869 Mr. Gage went out, and Prindle & Co. soon after became
the title of the firm. In December, 1877, the Mill Plain Manu-
facturing Company, a joint-stock corporation, took the factory
now standing, which was built in 1871.
It is related that at the time of Mr. Brothwell they were mak-
ing what was known as the ' ' coney' ' hat. These hats were
always worth just a doUar. If no money was forthcoming on
pay day, the men were given as many hats as there were dollars
due them. These were received at the stores as cash, and the
merchants sent them to New York to sell. Mr. Brothwell never
used the neat pacldng- cases of to-day, but used to knock boards
off the fences and make cases.
In 1860 the old firm of Crofut, Bates & Wildman being dis-
solved, the business was conducted by Henry Crofut. From
that time to the present there have been four different partners
besides Mr. Crofut. First Rollo Nichols was admitted, under
the fii-m name of H. Crofut & Co.; then George K. Nichols, and
afterward Joseph H. White, the firm still retaining the old
name. In 1878 the firm was Crofut, White & Peabody. The
present firm is Crofut & White.
The firm of E. A. MaUory & Co. in 1860 was formed of
Mallory and P. A. Sutton. In 1864 Mr. Mallory associated
with him his brother, Samuel MaUory, and this firm con-
tinued till 1866. Samuel Mallory then retired, and untU 1872
E. A. Mallory was again alone. In that year he took in
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 235
his son, Charles H. Mallory, and this comprises the present
firm.
In 1862 S. C. Holley began the manufactui'e of wool hats
in the shop then standing at the Main Street bridge, which had
before that been used by Crosby & Wildman. For a short time
J. H. Gresner was his partner. In 1865 A. N. Wildman con-
nected himself pnblicly with the firm, and the "Co." was
added to Mr. Holley' s name. In 1868 the factory was burned.
The same year they bnilt the factory on River Street, now occu-
pied by them. A. B. Holley became a member of the fimi in
January, 1876, though the firm name was not changed.
Shethar & Lacey was the name of a new firm which purchased
the Montgomery factory on White Street in 1865. For one year
they continued business, and then admission to the firm was
given to Henry Starr and Thomas Lawrence, under the fimi
name of Shethar, Lacey & Co. One more year passed and this
firm dissolved, and in its place was the firm of Lacey, Hoyt &
Co., composed of W. F. Lacey, Theodore Hoyt, Moses Collier,
Ives Bushnell, and George Downs. In 1872 the firm went out of
business. Lacey, Downs & Co.— the " Co." being C. H. White —
then foraied a copartnershijD and manufactured hats for a time.
Lacey & Downs were before this time associated in the fur-cut-
ting business in the Phoenix factory. Their hatting exjierience
continued but a short time.
Elijah Sturdevant continued the business at the factory in
Beaver Brook District until August 31st, 1873. On that date
the building was totally destroyed by fire at a loss of $60,000.
For four years the ruins lay as the fire left them, and it was not
until 1877 that the factory was rebuilt. It then became the
property of James S. Taylor, and from that time to this a de-
sultory trade has been caiTied on there. In 1879 D. E. Leowe
& Co. took it, but in 1880 the firm dissolved.
Nichols & Hine were burned out in Bethel in the spring of
1878. In the fall of the same year they came to Danbury, and
took the old Lacey, Downs & Co.'s factory on White Street,
where they were eminently successful for many years.
We now have given the hat manufacturers since 1860, so far
as we can trace them. Next in order come the fur-cutters. The
firm of W. A. & A. M. White, which was the principal one in
the trade at that time, is still running. Their factory was
236 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
totally destroyed by fire in 1874. It was immediately rebuilt
with brick, and is probably one of the most conveniently arranged
establishments in the country.
FUR-CUTTING INDUSTRY.
We are indebted to Mr. Alexander M. White, of Messrs.
W. A. & A. M. White, for the following matters of interest in
connection with the fur-cutting and hatting industry, also carpet
weaving.
" The manufacture of hats was carried on in Danbxiry before
and during the Kevolutionary War, and always since. Formerly
the apprentices were taught to cut fur by hand from skins,
for the use of their employers.
" The first fur cut in Danbury by machine and to sell was by
my father, E. Moss White, for my brother, William Augustus
White, between 1825 and 1830, and this industry has been con-
tinued by the family from that time to the present. The fur-
cutting by E. Moss White was done in an old shop on Main
Street, just south of Niram Wildman's house, on land which,
I think, was occupied by the widow of Judson White. This
jjroperty afterward was occupied by Giles M. Hoyt.
' ' The firm of W. A. & A. M. White was f onned January 1st,
1839, and had been in existence fifty-seven years under that
title on January 1st, 1896.
' ' At the commencement of the business cutting machines were
somewhat similar to those now used, only they were operated
by a foot treadle, and the fur was mostly cut from muskrat
skins and used for napping on wool bodies, which about 1825
and after were formed by machines on cones. Fur bodies were
then seldom used and wei'e bowed by hand, as was also the
napping.
" Up to about 1842 hatters' furs were mostly imported from
Germany and England. Fi'ench furs came much later, when
coney was used for soft hats. None of the imported furs were
then cut by machine, which was an American invention, as also
the blowing and forming machines. Up to 1842 imported hat-
ters' fur paid no duty. In 1842 a tariff bill was passed by Con-
gress laying a duty of 25 per cent on hatters' furs. For many
years after this period the cutting of hare and coney skins was
done in this country by our firm only.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 237
" In 1842 we imported a man (C. L. Klumpf) from Frankfort,
Germany, to teach the business, and made a contract -with the
State of New York for a large number of prisoners to prepare
the skins and cut the fur, principally hares, under his super-
vision, hare and coney skins being free of duty. At termination
of contract with the State of New York we sent all machinery,
with Klumpf, to Danbury, continuing the business there. We
imported from Buenos Ayres nutria skins and cut them in Dan-
bury soon after 1830, but hare and coney skins were not cut
there until about 1845.
' ' The fur-forming machines caused a revolution in the manu-
facture of hats, and brought about the general use of fur bodies
for napping and plain hats stiffened. Up to about 1840 soft
hats were not used, and biit few plain hats.
' ' Between 1830 and 1840 a man in our employ, named Mon-
mouth Lyon, invented a machine for weaving carpets. A patent
should have been obtained, but was not. My father had a
machine built, and it was the first power-loom machine that
ever Avove a carj)et. About four or five carpets were made, but
imported carpets were sold lower than these cost, and the work
was abandoned. The machine and patterns were stored in the
attic of our factory, and were destroyed by fire in 1874. In 1839
the writer visited a carpet factory at Lowell, where weaving was
done on hand-looms, and was shown in a locked room the exact
counterpart of the Lyon machine with the paper patterns, and
was told that it was a machine that would revolutionize carj^et
weaving."
W. F. Lacey and George Downs went into partnership with
Stephen Hurlbut in 1862, under the name of Hurlbut & Co.
In 1864 Mr. Hurlbut left the finn and started in business in
Peck's comb shop, where Beckerle & Co. 's factories now stand.
He continued business until 1869, when he was killed by a run-
away team.
Peter Robiason, in 1865, began the fur-cutting business in a
shop belonging to the Tweedy s. In 1867 he purchased a build-
ing at Beaver Brook, and admitted to partnership John Tweedy.
In 1870 the business was so extensive that greater accommoda-
tions were made necessary, and the firm purchased the factory
of Benedict & Montgomery on West Street. This shop was
burned down in 1874, and in the same year they went to the
238 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Hull & Belden Co. 's factory on Canal Street. Mr. Tweedy had,
in tlie mean time, retired from tlie firm, and John Starr was made
a partner in 1871. Mr. Starr died in 1876, and O. de Comean
took his place. He remained a member of the firm one year,
and in 1877 Mr. Robinson' s oldest son, E. T. Robinson, was taken
into the firm, and sent to England, where they established a
branch office. Since then they have established also a branch
house in Mexico.
The manufacture of hat cases is an important factor in
the business. In 1860 Mr. George Starr was the only person
engaged in the business in Danbury. Besides cases he made
blocks, tools, etc. In 1876 his brother, Daniel Starr, purchased
the business, and still continues it. The Danbury & Bethel Hat
Case Company began to manufacture cases in 1876.
Through the kindness of one of our oldest residents we have
been enabled to trace some of the old hatters mentioned by Mr.
Francis.
1787. — William Babcock, who was employed by Burr & White,
died in New Haven.
1803.— Samuel H. Phillips lived opposite the Danbury Savings
Bank, and died there. George Benedict was a son of Elialdm,
and lived and died in Danbury. David Wood lived and died on
the corner of Main and South streets. Ezra Wildman, who was
a great-uncle of Samuel C. Wildman, moved to Clarksfield, O.,
and died there. Ebenezer and John D. Nichols died in the
South. The firm of Boughton & Starr we cannot trace. Mr.
Boughton is believed to have been Elias Boughton, who lived on
the site of George C. White's residence.
1805. — The firm of Clark & Benedict should have read Bene-
dict & Clark. Sallue P. Clark lived down-town, near the old
Carrington place. He was an uncle of Starr Clark. Benedict
was the son of Peter Benedict, who lived in Mountainville, on
the place now owned by E. S. Benedict. Gersham Nichols was
the father of Starr Nichols and the great-grandfather of John
Nichols.
1807. — Noah Rockwell died in Danbtiry. Hoyt Gregory died
here, and we believe has no descendants.
1812. — James Benedict, of Tweedy & Benedict, retired from
business to a farm on the Hudson River, and died there.
1816. — David H. Boiighton was a son of Elias Boughton, and
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 239
died South. His remains were brought home and interred in
the burying-ground up-town. David M. Benedict lived later in
life in the house now owned by Lucius P. Hoyt, and died there.
He was also buried in the up-town burying-ground. Ezra M.
Starr lived and died in the house now occupied by D. G. Penfield,
on South Street.
1818. — Captain John Foote lived near the present residence of
Harmon Knapp, Main Street. Abel Hoyt was the father of
Giles M. Hoyt, and died in Bethel.
1820. — Ephraim Gregory was a son of Elijah Gregory, a black-
smith, whose shop stood on the site of St. James's church, and
his dwelling on the site of the rectory.
John Fry died November 4th, 1880. Alvin Hurd, who was
his partner, died in August, 1869. The firm of Benedict &
Montgomery consisted of Charles H. Benedict and William Mont-
gomery, and closed business in 1861. Both partners are dead.
Joel Taylor lived for many years in Great Plain. He died in
1870.
Nathaniel H. Wildman was in the Southern trade in Charles-
ton. He closed up his business in 1861. He lived and died in
the old house yet standing in rear of Wildman' s Block, on Main
Street. He was the father of Alexander Wildman. His death
occun-ed in 1877. Charles Fry is still living.
The firm of R. and E. T. Hoyt, doing business in 1816, was
Russell and Eli T. Hoyt. The former died in 1868, the latter in
1893.
John R. Hoyt, who was one of the sons of Russell Hoyt, suc-
ceeded the old firm. He was a brother of Lucius P. and T.
Granville Hoyt. He died in 1848. This old firm of Hoyt
Brothers eventually consolidated with the Tweedy family. Mr.
Francis speaks of the firm of Hoyt, Tweedy & Co. This was the
consolidation of the two.
A. E. Tweedy died in February, 1864. His cousin, Samuel
Tweedy, died in 1868. Niram Wildman, who was a partner of
John Fry, was grandfather of A. N. and John Wildman. Fred-
erick Nichols is brother-in-law of Giles M. Hoyt. He now lives
in New York.
The White Brothers, mentioned in 1814, were Judson and
Russell White. Russell died in 1838, and Judson in 1839. Rus-
sell White was the father of William R. White.
240 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Edward S. Brockett, who was in business in 1832 with William
Montgomery, died in Norwalk in 1872. He was for many years
the trying justice of Danbury, and his reputation extended into
the whole country.
In 1824 Mr. Francis mentions Isaac H. Seeley. Mr. Seeley
died March, 1880, full of honor and ripe in years. White &
Keeler were Colonel E. Moss White, who was the father of the
late Colonel N. L. White. He died in 1863. His partner was
Timothy B. Keeler. Mr. Keeler died somewhere between 1835
and 1840. Joseph Taylor was a manufacturer in Wildcat, Bethel,
now known as Elmwood. He was succeeded in business by his
sons, Reiiben and Stephen. Joseph Taylor died in 1874. The
Taylor & Dibble mentioned were Elias Taylor and Scott Dibble.
They died many years ago, leaving no dii'ect descendants in
Bethel.
In following up Francis's history we find hatters in business of
whom he makes no mention. For instance, M. H. GrifRng
was a prominent hatter in 1846. His factory was in what is now
known as Mountainville. He continued in business for ten
years, and then sold out to Henry T. Robinson. Mr. Robinson
did not succeed, and soon abandoned the enterprise. Mr.
Griffing learned his trade in 1843 with Elijah Patch, on Great
Plain. George A. Andrews was another hatter who carried on
business in Great Plain a few years ago.
Wolfpits, in Bethel, was also for many years — 1824 to 1850 —
the scene of a nourishing hat trade. Among the manufacturers
then we find Eli Morgan, Abel Hoyt, Leazer Taylor & Son,
Charles & Roderick Dart, and Hugh Starr. In Elmwood we
find David Sherman and Beers Crofut.
In 1859 Mr. Francis gives a summary of the amount of work
done by all the factories as follows :
Number of hands emjDloyed 1,294
Hats made (dozens) 123,870
Pay roll $329,000
In 1880, the statement was as follows :
Number of hands employed 1,800
Hats made (dozens) 400,000
Pay roll $1,000,000
The following article concerning hatting in Bethel was written
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 241
for US by Captain Isaac H. Seeley just before his death on March
2d, 1880. He was in his eighty-seventh year, biit his memory
was as clear as twenty years ago. Bethel had not been incor-
porated as a town by itself, and therefore appropriately comes
under the head of " Old Dan bury."
Mr. Seeley came to Bethel in May, 1793. " At that time there
were biit four hat shops in operation. Zar Dibble's shop stood
on the ground where Walker Ferry's Block now stands, corner
of Centre and Chestnut streets. Captain Eli Taylor had a shop
west of his house. Thomas Taylor's shop stood west of his
house, and Eli Hickok's shop near the Farnum homestead.
These four shops each had two boys at work. Hats were mostly
made from lambs' wool, about seven ounces weight, and napped
with black muskrat, about one and a half ounces weight. Belly
muskrat was considered too fine and short for use then. We
had no carding machines then, and the wool was all carded by
hand by women. Hats were sold in New York in an unfin-
ished state after they were colored. Captain Eli Taylor once
went to New York on horseback with a lot of hats packed
on the back of the saddle. He exchanged them for stock
(lambs' Avool and muskrat fur), taking small parcels of wool and
fur for immediate use. The balance was sent on by the sloop
and transported from Norwalk to Bethel by the ' ' Merchants'
Line" of wagons. In 1800 Noah Hickok, Eliakim D. Trow-
bridge, and Daniel Morgan each built shops in Grassy Plain.
Hickok's shop was by his house, where George Osborne now
lives ; Trowbridge's was a little west of the large elm-tree now
standing at the lower end of Grassy Plain Street, and Morgan' s
was near "William H. Barnum' s present residence. In 1801 Mat-
thew Trowbridge built a shop here. These shops were all worked
by boys as apprentices.
" In 1799 Zar Dibble and Eli Davis owned all the land in the
centre of Bethel, as far down as Little Fields, now known as
Nashville, some sixty acres in all. Dibble wanted to sell out
and move to Ballston, N. Y., and proposed to divide the land to
accommodate purchasers. His own dwelling was on the west
road, and his hat shop was on the east side of his farm. No
other buildings were on this plot of land. Phineas Taylor, P. T.
Barnum' s grandfather, bought aU the home land, leaving about
one acre with the house and barns, which was purchased by
242 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Timotliy Taylor. About half an acre with the shop was sold to
Lemon Starr. He fitted np the shop with a little addition for
a shoemaker, who resided in part of it. Seven years later
Starr sold the shop and a small plot of gronnd to Elias Taylor,
who put another addition on the north side for a family resi-
dence, and converted the shoe shop into a hat shop again. It
was the same place before mentioned, now the site of Ferry's
Block. Taylor, being a very enterprising man, cut the land
into parts to suit customers, mostly in small plots. He had two
roads cut through the land to accommodate dwelling-houses,
shops, etc. In 1817 Taylor bought a hoiise on the northeast
corner of the plot, and lived there until his death in 1837.
" About this time William Chappel, of Danbury, obtained a
patent right for a carding machine, with a Mr. Nichols from the
lower part of Newtown. It was very complicated, and the proc-
ess was slow. Nichols put up a shop in Newtown, and Mr.
Chappel erected a mill in the lower part of Danbury, near what
was called then Hoyt's Pond. They were able to do most of the
business. In good times this put aside the women's cards, and
the business rapidly increased. For five years there was not
much shop-building. Messrs. A. and P. Nichols began in
Grassy Plain just above the bridge, near G. M. Hoyt's old fac-
tory. Their business was large for those days, and they em-
ployed a number of hands, making some fine hats for New York
customers and Southern trade. In 1810 Ambrose Collins came
to Eli Hickok's as a journeyman. He afterward married Hickok's
daughter and built a large hat shop on the corner of the Grassy
Plain Road and the road now leading to the Eureka water-
works, and employed a large number of hands. In the follow-
ing year, 1811, Lewis Taylor built a shop on the east side of the
road, near Collins' s shop. In 1812 Hugh Starr erected a shop
on the site of Hugh Reid's present residence. He kept only a
few boys to work.
" In 1803 Daniel Morgan and Oliver Shepard went into part-
nership, bought the land and built a hat shop where now is the
shop of Cole & Ambler, and in 1805 Shepard bought out Mor-
gan's interest.
"In 1808 Nathan Seeley went into partnership with Samuel
Peet for one year. They took the shop of Oliver Shepard until
June, when they built and moved into a shop on the site of
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 243
Gr. G. Durant's present shop. Seeley was to put in two boys as
apprentices. At the end of the year Peet withdrew from the
firm. Seeley in 1809 hired Delecena Benjamin to go into the
shop to instruct the boys. At the end of 1809 he gave the busi-
ness to the boys with his own services. In 1810 Lewis Gregory
and Delecena Benjamin commenced hatting on the ground where
Captain I. H. Seeley lived. At the end of 1811 Nathan Seeley
bought the business of Gregory & Benjamin for his son Isaac.
Gregory and Joseph GiUett were journeymen for Seeley. They
afterward bought the old Fort property, which was a large build-
ing and was formerly a rendezvous for people to meet nights at
the latter part of the Revolutionary War. Gregory & Gillett
fitted it up for hatting, and made wool hats for Seeley. The
same year Eden Andrews buUt a hat shop and hired a man to
take charge of his boys and shop in WUdcat District. It was
about this time that Joseph Taylor built a shop in Wildcat Dis-
trict, and he was followed by Levi Taylor and Timothy A. Ben-
edict, each of whom erected shops, and put boys to work.
Joseph Hitchcock built a shop in Plumtrees, and Asel Dunning
also began hatting about this time. Elam Benedict built a house
and shop on the corner of Long Boggs road and moved from the
field to the new shop. About 1822 A. C. Hickok built a shop in
Long Boggs District, used it a few years, and then moved to
Bethel. In 1815 Ebenezer Hickok bought the homestead and
shop of Benedict and continued the business.
' ' About 1815 Starr Ferry moved to the town from Brookfield,
having decided to settle near his wife's old home. He purchased
of Sandy McLane, on Stony HUl, a little house and erected a
hat shop on the east side of his farm. Feeling that his location
was not adapted to his energies, in 1820 he sold his farm to
Major Dikeman, who converted the shop into a dwelling. He
came to Bethel and bought Matthew Barnum's homestead.
There being a large cooper shop on the premises. Ferry fitted it
up for a hat shop, and finished hats only. He hired himself and
shop to I. H. Seeley for a year, Seeley having a large contract
with ^Vhite Brothers & Co., of New York, to make up wool hats
for them from wool they had in store. Seeley set the hatters in
Bethel generally to work, having only one year to complete the
contract.
" Soon after this Centre Street was opened and Ferry took a
244 HISTORY OF DANBUKT.
plot of ground and built a large factory on the south side
of the road where Judd & Dunning' s shop now stands. About
this time Asel Beebe, Levi Beebe, and Stiles Wakelee built
shops in the village.
" Sherman Ferry, previous to the opening of Centre Street, pur-
chased the Sturges homestead and biiilt a hat shop on it, which
he occupied for some time. After Centre Street was opened he
sold out, and it fell into the hands of Oliver Shepard. Shepard
died there. Ferry and his brother moved into Centre Street.
" In 1822 Asel and Levi Beebe' s shop was burned down. The
following year they erected a new shop on the old site.
"There were a number of shops in the district of Wolf pits.
Abel Hoyt, father of G. M. Hoyt, of Danbury, had a shop, where
he made hats, which he sold in an unfinished state. After he
left the business two of his sons, Starr and Selleck O., com-
menced the business. Starr left Wolfpits and removed to Grassy
Plain, opposite the hoixse of James Morrow. Selleck O. went to
Poughkeepsie.
"Eli Morgan had a shop near Abel Hoyt's, and made a good
many hats, also sold in unfinished state.
' ' Eleazor Taylor' s shop was near where Samuel Mead resides.
His son Alva was connected with him. Daniel P. Shepard
also was a manufacturer, afterward D. P. Shepard & Son.
Loderick S. and Charles Dart were in partnership. Charles Dart
went to New Orleans and opened a store.
" The Seeley boys, both of whom have but recently died, mar-
ried young. Isaac H. took the old shop and was a partner with
his father for many years. Seth buUt a store on the ground
now occupied by E. S. Barnum."
The following is taken from Part 5-6, Annual Report of the
Connecticut Bureau of Labor Statistics :
" Previous to 1885 there was almost continual war between
the hat manufacturers and the hat makers and finishers of Dan-
bury. It is not necessary here to go into a history of the difii-
culties ; there were many of them, and they were most stub-
bornly contested. The advantage apparently rested with the
manufacturers, but iintiring diligence was required to maintain
this advantage. The rise of the Knights of Labor put a new
aspect on industrial affairs throughout the country. That or-
ganization seemed in a way to control wages more widely than
HISTORY OF DANBUKY. 245
they had ever been controlled by labor organizations. In the
fall of 1885 a committee of five vs^as appointed by the directors
of the National Associations of Fur Hat Finishers and Makers
' to confer with the manufacturers of fur hats in regard to the
present state of trade, and the way to improve it, and the con-
dition of those engaged in it.' The invitation set forth that ' as
the best means of accomplishing the desired object ' the com-
mittee ' respectfully invite the fur-hat manufacturers to unite
in an organization to act in concert with our associations in the
adoption of such measures as will tend to establish and maintain
harmonious relations between the manufacturers and their em-
ployes, and promote the best interest of both parties.' The com-
mittee pledged their respective associations to co-operation ' in
a spirit of harmony and conciliation in all reasonable and proper
efiforts to improve the condition of the trade, and to make it
more jjrofi table both to the manufacturers and their' workmen.'
The members of the committee were : James Graham, N. H.
Hughes, John Seymour, Herman Kaiser, and Richard Bill.
' ' Prominent manufacturers recognized the importance of the
movement, and immediately issued to the hat manufacturers
throughout the country, for signatures, the following answer to
the invitation :
" ' The undersigned fur-hat manufacturers, approving the
spirit and purpose of the foregoing invitation, hereby agi-ee to
organize an association for the objects therein stated, and to meet
for that purpose when this paper shall have been presented to
all of the i^arties now engaged in the business, in the States of
Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Penn-
sylvania, and the signatures of three fourths obtained hereto. '
" Mr. Edmund Tweedy, of Danbury, was the first signer, and
accordingly, October 15th, 1885, he felt justified, from the num-
ber of signatures obtained, in calling a convention to be held in
the city of New York, October 28th. At that convention sixty-
three manufacturers were present. Twenty-five others had
signed, who were not present, making eighty-eight interested in
the movement. Twenty-two were from Danbury, nine from
Bethel, and eleven from South Norwalk. It was estimated that
fully 95 per cent of the capital invested in the fur-hat business
of the country was represented. Mr. Tweedy clearly explained
the situation. The following are extracts from his address :
246 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
" ' To any one who will read the signs of the times, it is plain
that the labor question in this conntry is assuming an importance
that brings it to the front of all other questions. It is only
necessary to glance at the daily papers, with their lengthy record
of strikes, lockouts, boycotting, and violence, to see that the
relations between labor and capital are becoming much strained,
and that there is likely to result a condition of aifairs which
will bring great troiible and distress upon those who labor, and
loss and disaster to capital.
" ' It is evident that the contests between the two are becoming
more frequent, of greater magnitude, and are productive of more
bitterness of feeling than at any previous period in the history
of the country. It becomes the duty of every good citizen, and,
particularly, of those who, from theu' situation, are liable to
become engaged in the conilict, to consider well the causes of
these disturbances, and whether or not there is a remedy. . . .
" ' It is safe to say that in many a factory, for the last two or
three years, the wheels have been turned for the sole benefit of
the workers, while the owner has been content if the end of the
year found him in no worse financial condition than the begin-
ning. Doubtless there may have been many instances where
the workmen have protested most vigorously against the scanty
rewards of their toU, and cursed the injustice of capital, while
they were getting all and the employer nothing ; and doubtless,
too, there have been many instances where greedy capital has
fattened and thrived upon the sufferings and deprivations of
honest labor. Each can readily see his own wants and difficul-
ties, but has not so clear a vision for those of the other. . . .
" ' It is plainly evident that, for some time past, the workmen
in our trade have not been satisfied with their share of the profits
of the business. With few exceptions, I think that the same re-
mark will apply to the employers. It is undeniable that taking
into account dull seasons, when the workman has but little to
do, his gross earnings have been insufiicient to provide him with
the comforts of life, to which he feels that he is entitled. At
the same time, the margin of profit to the manufacturer, if any-
thing, has not been sufficient to make him anxious about invest-
ing his surplus. . . . The tendency of prices for our products
has been constantly downward, untU they have reached a point
without parallel probably in the recollection of the oldest vet-
HISTOKY OF DANBURY. 247
eran in the business. I am satisfied that but a small proportion
of this decline in prices has been met by a corresponding reduc-
tion in wages. I know it to be a fact in my own experience that
the cost of labor in proportion to the selling price of the manu-
factured products is much greater to-day than at former periods
where labor has felt that it was fairly compensated, and I have
no reason to believe that this exj^erience is exceptional.
" ' Be this as it may, it is evident that the journeymen hatters
of to-day are not satisfied with their earnings, and they are in-
tent upon increasing them. . . .
" ' But it is apparent that there are wise heads among these
journeymen, who perceive the advantage of gaining their end by
peaceable means, rather than by attempting it by forcible meas-
ures which might end in disaster, and they have had sufficient
influence with their associates to bring them to acquiesce in their
views, and consequently we find them pausing in their compul-
sory schemes and offering us the olive branch in the shape of
the invitation which has brought us together here to-day.
" ' I wUl venture to say that the situation in which we find
ourselves is without precedent in this or any other country.
For the workingmen in a trade to ask their employers to organ-
ize themselves into an association is a fact so surprising that we
may well question its significance. The fact itself seems to me
to place the sincerity of the journeymen beyond all doubt ; for
labor is naturally distrustful of organized capital, and they can-
not be unconscious of the power which such an organization will
give us ; and it also shows their confidence that the power will
not be imjustly used against them. They are entitled to equal
sincerity and the same confidence on our part.
" ' What, then, does this invitation mean ? It means, as I
understand it, that the journeymen believe it is for the best
interests of both parties that they and we should live in peace
and harmony together, and that by mutual interchange of views,
and by concert of action, it is possible to improve the condition
of trade, remove many of its difficulties, and make it more profit-
able to all parties. They perceive that to attain these ends it is
necessary that there should be thorough organization of the em-
ployers as well as of the workmen ; and they invite us to form
such an organization, and pledge themselves to co-operate with
us in all reasonable and proper efforts to accomplish the desired
248 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
objects. Their plan contemplates, as I am advised, the admis-
sion of all those at present employed in the trade into their asso-
ciation, the bringing of independent shops under reasonable
association rules, the ai^pointment of committees of conference,
representing both parties, to consider matters of interest to the
trade, and the adoption of joint measures which will give to the
joint organizations the j^rfictically absolute control of the busi-
ness. Of course, the primary object that the workman has in
view is the increase of wages ; but he is willing that it should
be accompanied by increase of profit to the manufacturer. Are
these objects desirable ? To me they appear eminently so. If
by means of such organizations the relations between employers
and employed coiild be adjusted upon an enduring and satisfac-
tory basis ; all causes of strife and contention removed ; the
wages of the workingman and the profit of the manufacturer
increased; strikes and turnouts prevented ; "shop calls" regu-
lated ; difiEerences settled by arbitration ; stated times for fixing
prices for labor established ; reasonable regulations for the em-
ployment of apprentices provided ; the health and comfort of
the workmen looked after ; and other matters of like character
discussed and regulated, who would say that such results would
not be worth any sacrifice that they might cost ? . . .
" ' Those of us who have independent shops are called upon,
if this plan is carried into effect, to surrender the advantages
which are supposed to accrue from such independence in return
for the benefits to be gained through organization, while those
whose shops are already iinder society ride have nothing to sur-
render, but everything to gain. On the other hand, it must be
remembered that the shops which are under association rule
have a present security in that fact, while the independent shops
are threatened with attack, and their right to exist challenged.
It is for the proprietors of these independent shops, then, to
consider well tlie comparative loss and gain involved in the pro-
posal before us. On this point I feel qualified, from my experi-
ence with both systems, to speak, and I propose to express my
views with entire frankness. . . .
" ' This position I have taken and contended for, not because
I did not freely acknowledge the right of organization upon the
part of journeymen, but because I washed to protect myself
against what I believe to be the unjust and unreasonable acts of
--._.>' w^/-
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 249
tlieir associations ; and I have maintained it because I have not
seen until now any satisfactory security offered that the acts
complained of would not be repeated. I believe that no reason-
able member of a hatters' association to-day will deny that their
acts have sometimes been unjust and unreasonable. I believe,
too, that many of the offensive regulations, against which I have
heretofore protested, have been repealed, and I feel sure that if
the plan which is now proposed is carried out, every objection-
able feature will be removed. A "fair" shop, controlled as I
know some have been controlled in the past, Avill give its owner
a foretaste of the torments that await the wicked ; but, con-
ducted on the principles which I have indicated, I could almost
imagine it a paradise on earth.
" ' He who would maintain an independent shop must be eter-
nally vigilant and prepared for attack at all times, for the enemy
never sleeps. If the alternative were submission to injustice,
then I would maintain the fight to the end, or retire from the
business ; but if I can be assured of being treated with fairness
and justice, then, I say, give me the peace and security of
acquiescence I'ather than the strife and danger of independence.
Under such circumstances the advantages of an independent
shop are not sufficient to wai^rant the cost of the struggle to
maintain it. I believe that an independent shop, under the con-
ti'ol of a just man — as a protest against tyranny and wrong — is
a good thing ; but, when used to degrade labor and deprive it
of its just rewards, it becomes a curse rather than a blessing.
" ' Our action here to-day wUl have consequences of great
moment to the trade, which may be felt for years to come, and
may, perhaps, reach far beyond the limits of our own trade, and
have an important influence on the relations of capital and labor
in other industries. It behooves us to act with deliberation and
judgment, casting aside all prejudices, and remembering that the
benefits of organization can only come through the surrender, on
the part of each, of some amount of individual freedom.'
" A committee was appointed by the chair to draft a constitu-
tion and by-laws to be submitted to the association for approval
and adoption at a future meeting. The Connecticut members
were : Edmund Tweedy, Charles Murphy, Danbury ; S. S. Am-
bler, E. D. Kichmond, Bethel ; Frank Comstock, William
Brown, South Norwalk. This committee appointed a sub-com-
250 HISTORY OF DANBCTRY.
mittee which was to report to them ' as soon as practicable, ' and
the convention adjourned subject to their call. Owing to the
opposition of manufacturers in New Jersey, the organization of
tlie association was delayed, and the Danbury members of the
convention, seeing that success was doubtful, organized a local
association. Any person or persons engaged in the manufac-
ture of fur hats in the towTi of Danbury, ' or what is known as
the hatting district of Danbury,' was eligible to membership.
The preamble explained the reason for the institution of the
association :
' ' ' We, the undersigned, fur-hat manufacturers of Danbury,
in order that we may maintain harmonious relations with our
employes and unite -wdth them in the adoption of such measures
as will tend to improve the condition of the business and pro-
mote the general welfare of all employed in it, do hereby organ -
ize ourselves together and adopt the following constitution for
our government.'
" The constitution is as follows :
CONSTITUTION.
" ' Article 1. The name of this association shall be " The Pur
Hat Manufacturers' Association of Danbury."
' ' ' Art. 2. Any individual, firm, or corporation engaged in the
manufacture of fur hats in the town of Danbury, or what is
known as the hatting district of Danbury, may become a mem-
ber of this association by signing the constitution and paying
the initiation fee.
" ' Art. 3. The officers of this association shall consist of the
president, vice-president, treasurer, secretarj^, and a conference
committee of five members, who shall be chosen by ballot at the
annual meeting. Amended November 9th, 1887 : Conference
committee to be appointed by the president.
" ' The duties of the president, vice-president, treasurer, and
secretary shall be such as usually pertain to those offices in
deliberative bodies.
' ' ' The duties of the conference committee shall be such as may
be delegated to them by vote of the association.
" ' Art. 4. The regular meetings of this association shall be the
second Wednesdays in November, February, May, and August.
The regular meeting in November shall be the annual meeting.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 251
Special meetings may be called by the president. The secretary
shall give due notice of snch meetings.
" ' Art. 5. The membership fees shall be $10.
" ' The annual dues after the first year shall be $10, payable at
the annual meeting.
" ' Art. 6. This constitution may be amended at any regular
or special meeting called for the purpose by a two-thii'ds vote of
all the members present and voting.' "
Shortly after the organization of the Manufacturers' Associa-
tion, agreements were made with the unions of makers and fin-
ishers, the following being the principal features based on the
employment of union help :
' ' ' Each shop to regulate its own prices and methods of work
without interference by the association.
" ' Bills of prices to be made each season, at stated times to be
agreed upon, and to stand for the whole season.
" ' All disputes between employers and erajjloyes which they
cannot settle to be submitted to arbitrators, in the selection of
whom each party shall have an equal voice ; the decision of the
arbitrators to be final. The men to remain at work pending the
settlement of any difficulty in a shop.
" ' All existing contracts with individual employes to be carried
out, providing the men so employed insist upon it.
" ' Shop calls to be prohibited, according to the by-laWs of the
Hat Finishers' Association.
' ' ' Shop calls to be confined to the establishment of prices at
the beginning of the season, and all difiiculties among the jour-
neymen makers in the making department, between themselves,
to be settled by a standing committee of three of their members.'
' ' Thus began the still (1887) existing arrangements between
the hat manufacturers and hat makers and finishers of Danbury.
At the time these agreements were made the trimmers had no
union. One was being organized, but there were no articles of
agreement between them and the manufacturers. April 5th,
1887, the following address was sent to the Trimmers' Union :
" ' To the Hat Trimmers'' Union of Danbury :
" 'The future prosperity of the hat manufacturing industry in
Danbury demands that there should be a thorough understand-
ing and agreement between the manufacturers and the various
252 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
organizations of their employes, in order that all may work in
concert and harmony together to maintain our present hold
upon the trade, which is seriously threatened by the condition
of affairs in other localities. If any large proj)ortion of the busi-
ness of hat manufacturing is to remain under the control of
trades-unions, it must be because they realize the dangers of the
present situation, and by fair, just, and reasonable action, will
convince employers that their true interests lie in continuing
relations with them. Nothing else will prevent a still greater
increase in the number of independent shops, which is already
alarming.
' ' ' The late rapid increase in the number of such shops has been
the direct result of the unwise and unreasonable acts of the
trades-unions elsewhere, who, too late, have seen their errors,
and are trying to remedy them.
" ' Had the same Just and rational agreements, which exist
between the makers' and finishers' associations and the manu-
facturers of Danbury, been in operation in other hatting dis-
tricts, the present state of affairs would not now exist. These
agreements are fair and equitable, because they are founded in
justice and reason. They have worked well for both parties.
They have preserved the rights of all, and have prevented in-
justice to any.
' ' ' We have heretofore asked for a similar agreement with your
association, but our request has not been granted. We now re-
new it, and shall insist upon your association placing itself in
the same relation with us as the makers' and finishers' associa-
tions now occupy.
" ' This is but simple justice, and in the interest of harmony
and the general welfare. It will place all upon a common plat-
form and enable us to act together in the hard struggle which is
before us to keep a fair share of the trade in Danbury, upon
which we all depend, and without which we would all be
sufferers.
" ' No argument should be needed to convince you of the im-
portance and necessity of this action, and we offer none. We
rely upon your good judgment and sense of justice to accede to
our request.
" ' Our conference committee will be ready to meet with yours
at any time, to arrange the details of such an agreement.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 253
" ' By order of the Fur Hat Manufacturers' Association of Dan-
bury, Conn.
" ' C. H. Mekkitt, President.
'"Aprils, 1887.'
"The trimmers refused to comply with the request of the
manufacturers to enter into articles of agreement with them.
The Manufacturers' Association then issued the following notice,
which was posted in all the shops belonging to the association :
" ' On and after May 16th, 1887, no trimmer or binder will be
employed in this shop on stifE or flexible hats until she shall
have subscribed to the following pledge — viz. :
" ' I hereby agree to use my best efforts to secure the adoption
by the Hat Trimmers' Union of Danbury, of an agreement with
the ha t manufacturers of said Danbury, to the same effect as those
made by the Hat Makers' and Hat Finishers' Associations of
said Danbury with said manufacturers.'
' ' The following is the agreement referred to :
" 'Each shop shall regulate its own prices and methods of
work without interference by the union.
' ' ' Bills of prices shall be made for each season at stated times
to be agreed upon, and shall stand for the whole season.
" ' All disputes between employers and employes which they
cannot settle shall be submitted to arbitrators, in the selection of
whom each party shall have an equal voice, the decision of the
arbitrators to be final. The employes to remain at work pend-
ing the settlement of any difficulty in a shop. '
AGREEMENT WITH THE TRIMMERS.
" There was a lockout of two days. The Trimmers' Union
finally adopted the articles and returned to work. The agree-
ment provided for the settlement of disputes much in the way
arranged by the other branches of the trade, and is as follows :
" ' Article 1. Each shop shall regulate its own prices and
methods of work.
' ' ' Art. 2. Bills of prices shall be made each season to stand
six months. Prices for spring season shall be made not later
than November 15th ; for fall season not later than May ISth.
254 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
' ' ' Art. 3. In case of any disagreement between employers
and employes, which they cannot settle, it shall be submitted to
arbitrators, consisting of foixr manufacturers and four trimmers,
to be selected in such manner as each association may direct. In
case such arbitrators cannot agree, those appointed by each
party shall severally choose an outside party, and the two so
chosen shall select a third, and the decision of these three shall
be final and binding.
' ' ' Art. 4. The trimmers to remain at work pending the settle-
ment of any difficulty in the shop.
" ' Art. .'5. The Trimmers' Union are to supply all the trim-
mers the manufacturers may requii'e to do their work.
" ' Art. 6. Cards sliall be granted to foreman, assistant fore-
man, and help required in trimming-room to do work other than
regular work.
" ' Art. 7. Shop calls are prohibited, except at time of making
prices, and for that purpose, or diaring noon hours for necessary
trade matters.
" ' Art. 8. Shops cannot be adjourned mthout the consent of
employers.
" ' Art. 9. The Trimmers' Union are not to make any by-laws
or regulations conflicting with these agreements.' "
Subsequently these agreements were severed by the Trimmers'
Union, and a lockout took place November 17th, 1890, lasting
until December 6th of the same year. During this lockout a
Trimmers' Society was organized based on the old agreements,
and a final settlement was reached by the aid of a committee of
flnishei's and makers, the members of the Trimmers' Society,
the new organization returning to the Trimmers' Union, the old
organization, under the old agreements.
These conditions remained unchanged until November 27th,
1893. The following is a copy of a notice issued November 6th,
1893, by the manufacturers :
notice of severance.
Danbury, November 6, 1893.
Whereas, A committee consisting of the representatives from
the various trades-unions and the Fur Hat Manufacturers' Asso-
ciation was appointed to endeavor to formulate and agree upon
some plan to remove the present obstacles to manufacturing in
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 255
Danbury, and presen'e liamionious relations between the manu-
facturers and trades-unions ; and
Whereas^ After a full presentation of the necessities of the
manufacturers by their committee, and a statement made by
them in their address of September 13th, from the last part of
which we now quote : " The matter rests with your unions, and
on their action depends our future course. It is our expectation
to giv^e you formal and reasonable notice of our severance of the
compact made in 1885, provided you cannot grant us necessary
liberties ;' ' and
Whereas, None of the plans presented by this committee, that
would be of especial value to the manufacturers, have been
granted by any of the organizations, it becomes our duty to for-
mally notify your association that we hereby sever all agree-
ments we have made and entered into with you. This notice to
take effect November 27th, 1893.
Signed by the officers and all th.e members of the Fur Hat
Manufacturers' Association, excepting Michael Delohery.
Following this notice came the lockout of November 27th,
1893. This lasted about ten weeks. At its close some eight of
the contending manufacturers decided to run fair or union shops,
with added privileges, and eleven to operate independent shops.
Following is a list of hat manufacturers doing business Novem-
ber 1st, 1895 :
Firm Name. Product.
HoUey, Beltaire & Co Stiff.
William Beckerle & Co " and soft.
Byron Dexter "
T. C. Millard & Co "
C. H. Merritt & Son (1880) "
Bundle & White " and bonnets.
E. A. Mallory & Sons "
Meeker Brothers Soft.
White, Tweedy & Smyth Stiff and bonnets.
Beltah'e, Lurch & Co "
D. E. Loewe & Co " and soft.
Lee & Hawley "
Davenport & Von Gal "
T. Meath&Co "
256 HISTORY OF DANBUKY.
Firm Name. Product.
T. Brothwell & Co Stiff.
E. Griffin "
Crofut & White "
Higson & Collings Company "
H. McLachlan & Co Hats in rongh.
Michael Delohery Bonnets.
C. M. Horsch
W. H. Burns
J. B. Murphy & Co
H. Zuerva & Co
Sellick & Smith Stiff.
American Hat Company "
James Higgins "
Mackensie & Sons "
E. P. Davis & Co
Dunleavy & Co
A. Sovets & Co
Lynch Hat Company
Seaman & Mabie
Following is the annual shipment of hats from Danbury since
1884:
1884 103,085 cases.
1885 111,048
1886 112,868
1887 128,330
1888 124,435
1889 126,127
1890 133,315
1891 133,906
1892 133,472
1893 100,020
1894 99,233
1895 129,339
The average is three dozen hats to a case.
A. E. TWEEDY SILK WORKS.
This business was established in 1887 under the firm name of
Butler & Tweedy, and is devoted to the manufacture of hatters'
trimmings, especially silk bands, bindings, and braids. Owing
HISTORY OF DANBUEY. 257
to repeated failures the manufacture of hat bands has been car-
ried on only to a limited extent in this country, and to-day
there are but three of these factories in the United States. It
requires long experience and study to successfully manufacture
these goods.
In 1893 Mr. Tweedy became sole owner and proprietor of this
factory, which to-day is in successful operation with fifty em-
ployes. Mr. Tweedy speaks in high terms of the untiring efforts
of his former partner, Mr. F. L. Butler, and also of the efficient
oversight of Mr. Charles Widmere as superintendent. The suc-
cess of this industry seems to be assured, and the future will
probably see many manufactories of this kind in operation in
this country.
HAT-CASE MANUFACTUREKS.
There are three hat-case manufacturers — viz.: Isaac Armstrong
& Co., Daniel Starr, and the Clark Box Company. The latter
succeeded the firm of Theodore Clark & Co. in the fall of 1891,
and is a stock company whose stockholders are the old firm of
Theodore Clark & Co. and ten of the principal hat manufacturers.
This company not only makes cases and band-boxes for the
trade, but in addition does a large tip-printing business and
stitches hat sweats. In its tip-printing department work is
performed for Bethel as well as Danbury.
Besides the Clark Box Company, there are two individ^^al tip-
printers.
There are four fiir-cutting establishments — viz.: W. A. &
A. M. White, P. Robinson & Co., Young & Hunt, and Frank
Hand. There are five manufacturers of hat wire and two manu-
facturers of hat sweats, besides the Clark Box Company, and
three firms supplying hatters' goods.
CHAPTER XXXII.
OTHER MANUFACTURES.
Ik pursuing our investigations of the difiEerent manufactures
in Danbury, we find that some time before 1780 Ephraim Wash-
burn and brother built a mill for making paper on or near the
site of the old Sturdevant factory. This mill afterward passed
into the hands of two brothers named Ward, who sold it to
Daniel and Seth Comstock. The latter was father of the late
Philander Comstock. They continued business there for some
years, when the mill was burned. The exact date of this destruc-
tion we cannot learn, but it was some seventy or more years ago.
Among the employes of Comstock was "Uncle" Jerry Wil-
son, who died several years ago. Mr. Wilson enlisted in 1812,
and Seth Comstock, being a major, was allowed a servant. He
made Mr. Wilson his servant and kept him in the shop, but he
received a pension and bounty. After this shop was burned
Deacon Oliver Stone purchased the site and built a hat shop,
which he sold to Elijah Sturdevant.
In 18.'i2 Nelson Flint, Calvin S. Bulkley, and Amzi Wheeler
started a mill for air-dried strawboard in Beaver Brook. The
firm dissolved after a short time, and Mr. Flint continued alone.
In 1867 George McArthur, with his three brothers, Robert, John,
and William, purchased the mill and continued the manufacture
of strawboard. The original building was a small one, thirty by
thu-ty feet, and was built for a woollen mill by Samuel Morris.
He was not successful, and gave up woollen for hatting and then
comb-making. In 1870 McArthur Brothers built an addition to
the first building, and gradually giving up strawboard, made
straw wrapping-paper. In 1872 a second addition was built, and
in 1875 hardware and wrapping-paper were made. Later on more
machinery was added and manilla paper was manufactured.
The first paper mill, however, was one which stood on the
stream back of the homestead of the late E. S. Hull. It was
HISTORY OF DANBUKY. 259
long before the present oldest inhabitant can remember, but we
learn from one who remembers his parents telling of the mill,
that it was run by a man named Washburn. The dam by the
mill flooded the Mill Plain flats, causing malaria and sick-
ness, and in consequence the residents of that vicinity were ex-
asperated at Washburn. The mill finally burned down in the
night, and not a man of the Mill Plainers helped extinguish it.
Uncle Amos Morris tells us about the burning of this mill.
Ebenezer Benedict was suspected of setting fire to it, and a court
of inquiry was held to investigate it. Uncle Amos attended the
court. Benedict was on the stand three days, subjected to a
severe questioning, but nothing was proven against him. When
he was allowed to leave the stand he arose and said : ' ' Gentle-
men of the jury, you have had me here three days and examined
me, with a serious charge against me. You haven't found out
anything, but I could tell you in two minutes more than you'll
ever know about it," and then walked off. It afterward leaked
out that he did set fire to the mill, instigated by the Mill Plain
people.
The manufacture of boots and shoes was another industry
which once occupied a prominent position in Danbury. It was
of recent birth. In 1869 C. H. Merritt built and occupied as a
boot and shoe factory the brick building now standing at the
north end of Main Street. The same year he took into partner-
ship Lucius R. Sprague. In 1870 Mr. Sprague retired and Mr.
Richard W. Cone went into the firm. This firm remained in the
business until the latter part of March, 1880, and in its busiest
seasons employed nearly two hundred hands.
In 1843 P. W. Hoyt had a " Shelter Rock factory for wood
and iron turning," and Richard Evans was a cloth manufacturer
here.
As far as we can trace back, we find an oil mill on the south
side of what is now known as Crofut's Pond, or Oil Mill Pond.
In 1812 Friend Starr, father of Mr. C. H. Starr, used to make
linseed oU from the flax raised in this section. It was quite a
prosperous business at one time. The mUl was pulled down
many years ago— so many, in fact, that none of our old citizens
remember it. Many of them have indistinct recollections of this
building in their early youth, but the date of its destruction is
lost. On the north side of the dam stood a saw mill owned by
260 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Friend Starr and Benjamin and Fairchild Ambler. Benjamin
was the father of the late Rev. E. C. Ambler, who iised to relate
the following anecdote ; Mr. Starr was an Episcopalian, but for
some reason he was temporarily offended with the Church, and
would go to hear Rev. Mr. Trumbull, the Baptist pastor. One
Sunday, after Mr. Starr had come in, Mr. Trumbull arose and
gave his text : *' Friend, friend, howcomest thou hither not hav-
ing a wedding garment ?" Mr. Starr at first thought this rather
personal, and manifested his disapprobation plainly, but the
minister proceeding, he saw that the text was not intended for
him, and became calm.
The manufacture of sewing machines was another industry for
which Danbury was once well known. It was a machine pat-
ented by Walker B. Bartram. The first manufacturers were the
Bartram & Fanton Sewing Machine Company. They started in
the old shirt factory on Ives Street in 1865. The next year they
purchased the brick building on Canal Street, now occupied by
P. Robinson & Son, and moved there. The company continued
running with varied success until 1872, when it was reorganized,
and many of our people, poor and rich alike, took stock therein.
In two years more (1874) the company failed, and the stock-
holders mourned for the faded dreams of fortune.
It will probably be a matter of news to many of our readers,
even to some of our oldest people, that the manufacture of cut
and wrought nails was once carried on in Danbury. Yet it is
true. In the summer of 1816* (the cold summer) Eli Seger lived
* The Hartford Times thus describes the summer of 1816 : " There are old farmers
living in Connecticut who remember it well. It was known as the year without a
summer. The farmers used to refer to it as ' eighteen hundred and starve to death.'
January was mild, as was also February, with the exception of a few days. The
greater part of March was cold and boisterous. April opened warm, but grew
colder as it advanced, ending with snow and ice and winter cold. In May ice
formed half an inch thick, buds and flowers were frozen and corn killed. Frost,
ice, and snow were common in June. Almost every green thing was killed, and
the fruit was nearly destroyed. Snow fell to the depth of three inches in New York
and Massachusetts, and ten inches in Maine. July was accompanied with frost and
ice. On the 5th ice was formed of the thickness of window glass in New York, New
England, and Pennsylvania, and corn was nearly all destroyed in certain sections.
In August ice formed half an inch thick. A cold, northern wind prevailed nearly
all summer. Corn was so frozen that a great deal was cut down and dried for
fodder. Very little ripened in New England, even here in Connecticut, and scarcely
any in the Middle States. Farmers were obliged to pay $4 or $5 a bushel for corn
of 1815 for seed for the next spring planting. The first two weeks of September
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 261
in the red house on the Mill Plain Road, which stands on the
corner of the old road leading to the Fair Ground entrance, across
Fish Weir Bridge. Tlie lower part of this house Seger used for
manufacturing nails, living in the upper part. Soon after this
date he moved to Ohio, where he died.
Comb-making was another industiy which was once exten-
sively carried on here, and which is now extinct. From a series
of papers published in the News in 1875, wi-itten by Mr. A. T.
Peck, we gather the following facts :
In 1810 Nathaniel Bishop started a comb factory on the site
of Peck «& Wildman's store. He kept a large number of hands
at work for twenty-five years.
Foote & Bamum began comb-making in 1814, in a shop that
stood near the corner of Main and Centre streets. Otis & Whiting
had a shop just this side of St. James's church, West Street.
Alfred Gregory, Peck & Gillett, and several others had small
shops scattered about town. The comb business — the value of
the goods and the number of hands employed — exceeded that
of hatting from 1826 to 1831, and continued about equal till
1837. In 1847 T. T. Peck occupied the woollen mill on West
Street, near Beaver Street, and w^as burned out. The shop was
rebuilt and the business carried on till 18.52, when it was removed
to A. T. Peck's old shop, which stood upon the site of the fac-
tory of Beckerle & Co.
Barnum & Green was another firm who carried on business
in 1812 on the comer formerly the garden of the late F. S.
Wildman.
Daniel Taylor, it is claimed, was the first man to make combs
in Danbury. His factory was in the then Wildcat District,
Bethel. In the same locality there were at one time seven shops
in operation. Azarael and Charles Smith, Daniel Taylor, E. Hull
Barnum, T. T. Dibble, S. B. Peck, and Ammon Taylor. In
Bethel Village and Grassy Plain there were Daniel Barnum,
George Clapi), Ammon Benedict, and several others. In 1820,
and from then to 1837, there were many small shops scattered
along the road from Beaver Brook to Newtown, and from New-
town to Danbury by the Bethel Road. In 1852 the business died
out, mainly because the comb-makers in Massachusetts combined
were mild, the rest of the month cold and blustering, with good sleighing. Decem-
ber was quite mild and comfortable."
262 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
their capital and skilled labor, and killed off the small manu-
facturers in other parts of the country.
MANUFACTURES OF TO-DAY.
DANBURY MACHINE COMPANY.
The foundry business was begun by John H. Fanton in the
spring of 1864. In 1869 he built the present factory on Canal
Street. In 1872 Henry Fanton entered the firm, which then
became known as Fanton Brothers. Henry Fanton retired from
the firm to be succeeded by Charles S. Peck, and the firm became
known as the Danbury Machine Company. It is an ordinary
business partnership, not an incorporated company, and employs
from thirty to thirty-five workmen.
ROGERS SILVER PLATE COMPANY.
This company was organized in 1886 with a capital of $10,000.
In 1888 the factory was destroyed by fire, and soon after the
company bought the site where stands their present factory.
The business has developed very rapidly of late, until there is
now $100,000 invested in it, with over two hundred employes,
and branch offices in New York City, Chicago, St. Louis, and San
Francisco. The President of the company is N. Burton Rogers.
MEDICAL PRINTING COMPANY.
The Danbury Medical Printing Company was organized in
1890 under the laws of the State of Connecticut. Its beginning
was the New England Medical Monthly, a publication started
in 1881 at Sandy Hook, Conn., with Dr. W. C. Wile as editor
and proprietor. In 1886 Dr. Wile was called to a medical pro-
fessorship in Philadelphia, where he remained a year. He then
came to Danbury and commenced here the publication of the
New England Monthly in a barn. To-day it has a fine three-
storied brick building on Foster Street, all its own and filled
with modem machinery. It is capitalized for $100,000, and has
forty employes. It now publishes the New England Medical
Monthly, the Prescription, and the Drug Reporter. Its Presi-
dent and Treasurer is W. C. Wile.
HISTORY OF D ANBURY. 263
B. TOOL COMPANY.
During the year 1891 a few of the business men of Danbury
became interested in certain inventions of machines and pro-
cesses for the manufacture of twist drills, which led to the organ-
ization of the T. & B. Tool Company. This company acquired
control of these inventions, and after a systematic study of the
methods of manufacture of this product undertook to design a
complete equipment of special machinery for this purpose.
These machines were buUt for the company and installed in one
of the buildings of the Tweedy Manufacturing Company on
River Street, where there are now employed about seventy opera-
tives, producing about ten thousand twist drills of various sizes
per week, besides a variety of other tools for metal working.
The consumption of these tools by manufacturers and builders
of machinery and iron works of all classes is large, while their
manufacture is carried on principally by some eight concerns,
who not only supply the drills which are used in this coun-
try, but have a large export trade, as outside of the United
States their production is very limited. The system of manu-
facture employed by this company is unique and original, and
believed to possess important advantages over those of other
manufacturers.
THE DUNHAM MACHINE WORKS.
This is an up-to-date industry, doing all kinds of model and
experimental work, and designs and builds entire any kind of
special sewing machine used in hatting or any other business.
THE TURNEK MACHINE COMPANY.
This is another thriving industry. It fits out hat factories
with all latest improved machinery, imports and deals in hatters'
supplies and general merchandise, and makes a specialty of
wood blocks and flanges. It has branches in England, France,
Vienna, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, and Melbourne.
The architects of Danbury are Foster Brothers, W. W. Sunder-
land, F. C. Olmstead, E. W. Gilbert, and the Danbury Building
Company. There are fifteen firms of carpenters and builders,
nine carriage manufacturers, five manufacturers of harness and
264 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
leather goods, tliree soda-water manufacturers, and ten manu-
facturers of cigars.
All the various lines of business that are to be found in any
city of its size are here in Danbury. The average increase of all
branches may be suggested by the fact that vrhere a century ago
James Sell was the " only barber," and in 1840 Homer Peters
filled the same position, to-day the list of barbers in Danbury
numbers twenty-seven.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
danbury's railways.
As the town and its business grew, the demand for a better
means of transportation began to make itself felt. There are
in every age and every community, fortunately, progressive
spirits who are always restless because they are always looking
for something better than what is already possessed. Danbury
was blessed with this element, and those who composed it chafed
under the limitations of the stage coach and the slow plodding
road wagons.
In 1825, when the Erie Canal project was being agitated, pub-
lic attention throughout the country was dii'ected to the subject
of inside water communication, and the agitation reached Dan-
bury, being drawn here by the progressive spirits of that day.
It was proposed to run a canal from Danbury to tide- water at
Westport. Even a survey was made, the line following near to
that of the present railroad as far down as Redding, where it
crossed over to the Saugatuck Valley and thence to Westport.
It was proposed to use Neversink Pond as a feeder to the canal.
The levels taken showed the Main Street at the Wooster House
to be three hundred and seventy-five feet above tide-water, and
Neversink to be twenty feet above Main Street. Much was said
and done about the canal project, but it was finally deemed to
be inexpedient because of the heavy locking that would be
necessary, and was abandoned.
The next project under consideration was a railroad. This
agitation began in 1835, the same year of the survey of the Hart-
ford and New Haven Road, and in that year the charter was
obtained from the Legislature. The charter was granted to
" Ira Gregory, Russell Hoyt, Eli T. Hoyt, Edgar S. Tweedy,
David M. Benedict, Ephraim Gregory, Curtis Clark, Frederick
S. Wildman, Elias S. Sauford, George W. Ives, with such other
persons as shall associate with them for that purpose." These
266 HISTOBT OF DAWBURY.
were to be incorporated as the " Fairfield County Kailroad Com-
pany," with a capital stock amounting to $200,000, or $300,000
if necessary. The road was authorized to run from Danbury by
the most direct and feasible route to some suitable point at tide-
water, either in the town of Fairfield or the town of Norwalk.
The charter was got and a survey made, and everything seemed
to indicate a speedy completion of the road, but a generation
was to pass before the hopeful projectors should see a railroad
from Danbury to tide-water, and before that glad consummation
a mountain of worry, opposition, and discouragement was to be
painfully scaled.
The road as it was first contemplated and as it finally took
shape were two different projects. Most of our readers are not
aware that in Danbury's first inception of railway communica-
tion with the outer world the somewhat colossal project of a
through Line from New York to Albany by way of this place
was entertained, and that the Danbury and Norwalk Railway
to-day is a part of that scheme, and all, in fact, that is left of
it. The proposed route was to run from New York by boat to
Wilson's Point, on the Sound, four miles below Norwalk. The
harbor there was the best in that section, and would be accessi-
ble for the greater part of the most severe winter. Prom the
Point to Danbury the raU was to run, and thence to West Stock-
bridge, Mass., where the line would connect with what is now
the Boston and Albany Road, which was then building from
Albany to West Stockbridge. This, of course, was before the
day of the Harlem Road, and in the beginning of railway
enterprise in this country. The survey was made by Alexander
Twining, of New Haven, in the summer of 1835.
Two surveys were made : one along the Saugatuck River to
Compo Point below Westport, and the other along the present
route to Belden's Neck (Wilson's Point). The distance on the
Saugatuck route was about twenty-three miles, and on the Nor-
walk route to Belden's Neck it was twenty-six miles. In point
of distance to New York, however, the latter route had the ad-
vantage in that it was seven miles nearer to that city by the
channel than the former. It is not necessary to speak further
of the Saugatuck route, as it was abandoned.
The Norwalk survey as first made by Mr. Twining was con-
siderably changed before the work on the road commenced. At
HISTORY OP DANBURT. 267
this end of the route it was first designed to leave out Bethel,
running the road through Mountainville along the line of Sim-
paug Brook, and coming into the borough across the South
Street and parallel with Main on the east to Turner Street, where
it was designed to have the station. Mr. Twining recommended,
however, that instead of following the Simpaug, the road branch
to the east, and run through Grassy Plain into Bethel, thus se-
curing an important station with but little increase in distance.
The suggestion was accepted so far as Bethel was concerned,
but the route at the south end of the village was not materially
changed. Some one did speak of the line which is now occu-
pied, but it was scouted at the time. The great flat between the
present lower railway bridge and Bethel was a bog, and one
very wise citizen said at the time that two twelve-foot rails could
be pushed down into it their full length without touching bot-
tom. The route along the east of Main Street was strongly
opposed by the owners of seventeen homesteads, who gloomily
anticipated destruction to their cows and pigs by crossing the
track.
While these surveys were going on the friends of the project
had their heads full of a through New York and Albany line,
and although their charter provided for a road from Danbury
direct to tide-water only, they dreamed of the through line and
worked for it.
The Hudson River for a railway line was not thought of —
neither, in fact, was the route through Putnam County, now
known as the Harlem Road ; and a railway line between the two
cities by way of Danbury was not so much out of the way, after
all.
The distance by the Hudson River, the most direct route, is
one hundred and fifty miles ; by way of Danbury it is but four-
teen miles greater, as the following will show :
Miles.
From New York by steamboat to Belden's Neck. . . 40
By railway to Danbury 26
From Danbury to West Stockbridge 68
Prom West Stockbridge to Albany 30
Whole distance 164
208 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Mr. Twining recommended this through route, and Messrs.
Aaron Seeley, Eli T. Hoyt, and Jarvis Brush, to whom the sur-
veyor made his rej^ort, published a card endorsing the same.
It may not be uninteresting to oiir readers of this day to know
what were some of the grounds on which was based a calculation
in favor of a railway line from Danbury to New York, and we
herewith give the views of the gentlemen above named, as well
as their estimate of the through business. It presents most
interesting reading, we think, to this generation, and the figures
contemplated and those realized make entertaining comparisons.
The committee advance these views in favor of direct rail com-
munication with tide- water :
" The town of Danbiiry* contains a population of about six
thousand ; and the village or borough of Danbury is the central
point of business for a fertile and densely populated territory of
two hundred square miles. The present amount of transporta-
tion from this and the adjoining towns, as ascertained by inquiry
of persons engaged in business, is seven thousand tons. This
amount has actually been transported during the past year.
These considerations alone, without taking into the estimate the
impulse which experience has shown will be given by a railroad
to all branches of business, enable us to state with confidence
that the transportation upon this road, upon its first opening,
will be ten thousand tons. The regular price now paid for
freight to those exclusively engaged in transportation from Dan-
bury to Saugatuck and Norwalk is $5 per ton. Assuming the
minimum price for transportation upon the railroad to be $3 per
ton, the annual revenue from this soiirce alone will be $30,000,
to which may be added for freight from the towTis south of Dan-
bury, which will probably be nearly equal upon either route,
$2000, making in the whole $32,000 ; and the difference between
that amount and the price now jjaid being $20,000 will be a
clear gain to the public. The present number of passengers
from New York to Danbury, as ascertained by a reference to
the books of the proprietors of the stage lines and other sources,
is ten thousand. The price of passage now paid, and which it
is not proposed to diminish, is $1. The number of passengers
from the intermediate towns, we estimate one thousand more,
for which there is now paid from 50 to 75 cents ; estimating the
* This included Bethel.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 269
fare at the average price of 62^ cents, the amount is $625, mak-
ing the amount of revenue to be derived from passengers
$10,625. These estimates are based upon the facts as they now
exist ; but vehen we take into consideration the increased amount
of transportation and travel to be created by the increased facili-
ties for communication, it may safely be assumed that the income
from all sources of revenue will be greatly increased. For in
stance, we have stated that the present annual number of pas
sengers from Danbury to New York is ten thousand. This in-
cludes very few from the towns east of Danbury, and none from
the southern portions of Litchfield County, and the eastern part
of the counties of Dutchess and Putnam in the State of New York.
" In the instance of heavy articles also, the increased amoimt of
transportation will, in our judgment, far exceed the estimate
here made. We refer especially to the articles of coal and plas-
ter, the former of which is now used in the interior to a very
limited extent, but would, upon the opening of the proposed
road, be extensively substituted for wood. In relation to tlie
annual expenditures, the experience of other roads enables us
to present an estimate upon which we may safely rely. The
annual expense of repairs may be put at $2500. The cost of
transporting freight to the amount with which this road will
commence will not exceed 35 cents per ton. One trip and one
return trip per day will be sufficient to accommodate all the
passengers with which the road will open, which at $7.50 per
trip, for three hundred and thirteen days, makes for the year
$4695. The salaries of the officers in the employ of the company
may be set down at $3000 per annum. The expense for drivers
and keeping horses,* for freight wagons, etc., exclusive of pas-
sengers' cars, $3500, making in the aggregate, for all expenses
of the company, $13,695.
" We present the following recapitulation :
Income from freight $32,000
" " transportation of passengers 20,000
$52,000
Deduct annual expenses of repairs, etc 13,695
Net annual profit $38,305
* It was designed to run the road by horse-power.
270 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
" Thus yielding a dividend of nearly 10 per cent to the stock-
holders."
There are some figures in the report of Mr. Twining's survey
from Danbury to tide-water which are of full as much interest
to us of to-day as they were to those who watched the progress
of the scheme. It must be borne in mind that this was not a
steam railway, but really a horse railway. In that day locomo-
tives were in but little use in this countrj^, and nothing, com-
paratively, was known of them in New England. Mr. Twining's
estimate for the grading of the road was $7869 a mile, or $203,389
for the entire distance.
In his estimate for the superstructure — that is, the track — is
an item "horse-path," which was to cost $123 a mile. The
horse-path was to be of plank. The following is his estimate
for the appointments of the road :
Six carriages for passengers $4,500
Fifteen wagons for burdens 5,250
Thirty horses 3,000
Harness 600
Two depots, with carriage-houses and stables. . . 8,000
One half-way station, with ditto 2,750
Total $24,100
It will be seen by the above that passenger cars could then be
bought for $750 apiece, and freight cars were in the market at
$350 each.
It was proposed to make two trips a day, each way. The cars
were to be drawn by horses, two to each car. The time required
to make the trip was estimated to be three hours. As to how
the freight wagons were to run, or how many to a train, was
not determined on, as the road was but then in its inception,
and before matters progressed to any degree locomotives came
into use.
While these estimates were being made the " through line"
was not forgotten. Mr. Twining and the originators of the road
were firmly convinced that the line would pay, and that it was a
necessity. There was no rail route between New York and
Albany, and in the -svinter when navigation was closed in the
river there was no communication between the two cities except
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 271
by stage. The Danbury jjeople souglit to stir up enthusiasm at
points along the proposed route.
In December, 1835, a public meeting was held in Kent, the
next town above New Milford. It was a large meeting. Dele-
gates were present from all towTis along the proposed line, from
Danbury to West Stockbridge. A proposed charter (granted the
following year) had been drafted, giving to the company char-
tered the right to construct a road to Bridgeport, or to the New
York State line in the town of Ridgefield or to Danbury. The
Kent meeting determined on the route to Danbury, and appointed
Aaron Seeley, Peter Pierce, and Jay Shears a committee to em-
ploy an engineer and have a survey made, and estimate of cost
prepared.
In March following the committee secured the services of E. H.
Brodhead, an experienced civil engineer, to make the survey.
He entered upon his duties as soon as possible, and was accom-
panied along the course by Mr. Seeley, of the committee.
Twenty-one days were employed in this work. The line in
Danbury began at the Main Street bridge across Still River, and
Mr. Brodhead' s survey ran it through Beaver Brook District,
thence along the line of the Still River to its confluence with the
Ousatonic (Housatonic) at New Milford. From there it followed
pretty much the line now occupied by the Housatonic Road, to
West Stockbridge, Avhere was met the railway known as the
Boston and Albany.
The committee were very much in earnest. Should the capi-
talists of the cities of Albany and New York prefer the west-
em route, say the committee, we appeal to the people of the
Housatonic Valley to come forward in aU their strength, and
relying upon their own resources, to construct a road to tide-
water.
The people of the valley eventually came forward in all their
strength, and constructed a road to tide-water, but not as the
committee expected, and certainly not as they desired.
While these movements were being made, Bridgeport, which
was quietly basking in the mud and was not thought of by any
one as a railroad point, suddenly crawled up on high ground
and began to realize that there was danger of losing something.
The something in question was aU the business of the Housatonic
Valley.
272 HISTORY OF DANBUET.
When Bridgeport got on liigh ground where it could look off
some other direction than seaward, it saw that by way of Dan-
bury and Norwalk was so much more direct for a line to New
York than by way of itself that should the road be built there
would never be the ghost of a chance for it to get the business
of the upper Housatonic Valley. It would all go the shorter
route.
Danbury as yet had no road to tide-water. If Bridgeport
could build a road from New Milford to itself, then it would
stand a very good chance to take the business of the Housatonic
Valley should a road be piit through it. Alfred M. Bishop,
father of William D. Bishop, was considerably interested in the
proposed road, and came to Danbury to talk over the matter with
our people. He offered to carry through the Fairfield County
Railway if Danbury would raise $100,000 for that purpose.
There were those in favor of doing it, of course, but there were
so many more opposed to it that the scheme fell through. He
next tried Bridgeport., and that city being a trifle more awake
than we, or a trifle less honest,* we are not sure which, pledged
$200,000 for a road from there to New Milford.
This practically killed the Danbury route from New York to
Albany. In 1840 the railway from Bridgeport to New Milford
was completed and opened for use. Two years later it was ex-
tended to the State line and became the winter route from Albany
to New York via the steamer Nimrod, Captain Brooks, to
Bridgeport, and as such was occupied for a number of years.
It was ten years later that the Danbury and Norwalk Road took
form. Work on the road was begun in the fall of 1850. Beard,
Church & Co. were the conti'actors. Deacon John F. Beard being
the senior of the firm. The total cost of constructing and equip-
ping the road was $370,821. The equipment consisted of three
locomotives, four first-class and two second-class passenger cars,
eight box, sixteen platform, and three hand-cars. On March
1st, 1852, the road was so far completed to run trains. The
station in Danbury was a subject of considerable discussion.
The down-town subscribers wanted it in that neighborhood,
while the up-town subscribers wanted it where it now is. As the
* When the time came for this money to be paid Bridgeport sought to repudiate,
and the law was called in to force it to keep its word, which appeared to be equally
as good as its bond.
HISTORY OF DAKBTJRT. 273
latter' s stock was much more than the former's they carried the
day ; whereupon the dissatisfaction was so great among the dis-
appointed that the successful ones took their stock off their
hands.
The following were the oflBcers of the new road, as recorded
in the first printed report of the company :
Directors : Eli T. Hoyt, Jonathan Camp, Frederick S. Wild-
man, Charles Isaacs, E. S. Tweedy, William C. Street, L. P.
Hoyt, William K. James, William A. White, Ebenezer Hill,
Frederick Belden, D. P. Nichols.
President, E. T. Hoyt ; Treasurer, George W. Ives ; Secretary,
E. S. Tweedy ; Superintendent, Harvey Smith.
The President, Treasurer, and Secretary were of Danbury ;
the Superintendent was of Ridgefield.
Mr. Hoyt served as President of the company until August
25th, 1864, when he was siiperseded. He determined his salary,
fixing it at $250 a year, and refusing any increase. Edwin Lock-
wood, of Norwalk, was chosen President, and served until Jime
18th, 1873, when R. P. Flower was elected. Hyatt succeeded
him, and held the office until the road passed into possession of
the Housatonic Company.
Mr. Tweedy continued as Secretary until August 25th, 1864,
when Harvey Williams was elected to the office. Mr. Ives served
as Treasurer until that period, when the two offices were merged
in one, Mr. Williams being both Secretary and Treasurer, and
continued as such until 1886.
^fr. Smith served as Superintendent until prostrated by a
pai-alytic stroke in 1859. John W. Bacon was appointed in his
place July 14th, 1859, and served until January 1st, 1876, when
L. W. Sandiforth was chosen. F. C. Payne is the present Super-
intendent. He has served since 1887.
When the road was opened the rails for some distance this
side of Redding were laid on the ground, the earth being frozen
so hard as to bear the weight of the train. This was done
because the completion had been delayed for a considerable time
beyond that set for its finish, and people were anxious to see a
train go through.
In 1844 the New York and Hartford Road was projected. It
was to pass through Danbury, and thence to New York via
White Plains, N. Y. We can now see what a splendid piece of
274 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
property it would have become had it lived, but it fell through,
and a goodly portion of the contemplated line between here and
Hartford is now occupied by the New York and New England
'Railway.
ENTERTAINING COMPARISONS.
The committee appointed to secure the survey of the road
made an estimate of the business in the circular to the public
which they issued. These figures, made in 1835, are interesting
compared with what the road did the first year after it was fin-
ished, 1852-.^3. The circular estimated its first year's business
in freight to be $32,000. The passenger traffic the circular fixed
at $10,625, making a total of $42,625. The first report of the busi-
ness of the road showed that the earnings for the first fifteen
months of its existence was $51,237.70. So the authors of the
circular had made a remarkably close estimate. The second
report covered a period of eleven months, in which the earnings
were $52,706.68. The through fare was 75 cents.
It is not often a new road so fully answers the expectation of
its projectors as did the Danbury and Norwalk Eoad. The
directors in the report refen-ed to say :
" The result of the experience of the company since the com-
mencement of the operations upon the road has been fully to
corroborate the opinion uniformly expressed by the directors,
that the Danbury and Norwalk Railroad will prove a successful
and profitable enterprise, and the favorable increase of the past
year demonstrates that but for the disastrous floods and the
unusual expenditures rendered necessary thereby, the net earn-
ings for the year would have warranted two dividends of 3 per
cent each, paid interest and taxes, and left a surplus of $3348."
The floods referred to were three in number. These occurred
in the fall of 1853 and the spring of 1854. They were disastrous
in effect, delaying travel for sixteen days, and causing an ex-
pense of $4000 for temporary repairs, and $9000 in addition for
a thorough reconstruction of the damaged portions.
EXTENSIONS.
In 1870 a branch road from BranchviUe to Ridgefield Village
was built, with a view to accommodating the business of that
place. Heretofore the connection had been made by stage. The
HISTORY OF DANBUEY. 275
distance is four miles. In 1872 another branch was built, run-
ning from Bethel to Hawleyville to connect with the Shepaug
Railway, which runs from Litchfield to Hawleyville. This was
done to control the business of the Shepaug Valley. The length
of the branch is six miles. The cost of both of these extensions
was at the rate of $40,000 a mile. In 1882 the main line was
extended from South Noi-walk to Wilson Point, a distance of
three miles.
THE FIRST TIME-TABLE.
The following is a copy of the first published time-table of the
Danbury and Norwalk Railroad :
" D ANBURY AND NORWALK RAILROAD.
ARRANGEMENTS COM. MARCH 1, 1852.
Trains will run as follows until further notice :
Leave Danbury at 6.45 A.M. with passengers only.
" " " 12.30 P.M. with passengers and freight.
RETURNING.
Leave So. Norwalk 9.15 a.m. with passengers and freight.
" " " 5.00 P.M. with passengers only.
" The 6.45 a.m. train from Danbury connects at Norwalk with
the 8.09 A.M. train to New York. Passengers going East can
leave Norwalk at 9.13 a.m. The 12.30 p.m. train connects at
Norwalk with the 2.21 p.m. express train to New York. Pas-
sengers from New York wiU leave at 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. to connect
with trains on the road. Stages will be in readiness at the Ridge-
field Station to convey passengers to Ridgefield Village, Lewis-
boro, and North Salem.
" Harvey Smith, Superintendent.
"February 25, 1852."
On October 1st, 1886, the Danbury and Norwalk Railway vfith.
all its branches was leased to the Housatonic Railway Company
for a term of years. The consideration was 5 per cent on the
capital stock of the Danbury and Norwalk Road.
A writer in a Norwalk paper at the time predicted that the
deal was made with a view to an ultimate control of the whole
276 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
system by the Consolidated Road oflScially known as the New
York, New Haven and Hartford Railway Company. Such has
been the result. On October 31st, 1892, the whole Housatonic
system passed into the possession of the Consolidated Road and
there remains.
OTHER RAILWAYS.
The completion of the Housatonic Road from Bridgeport to
New Milford gave Danbury its first nearest rail approach to
tide-water. This was in 1840. Danbury was connected with
this road by stage to Hawleyville. At Bridgeport passengers
and freight were sent by steamboat to New York. The road
was in a crude state, of course. The rail used was an iron strap
nailed to a timber. Occasionally it would hapi^en that at a Joint
an end of one of the rails would become loose, and accidents of
a serious nature frequently arose from this cause. The point of
the rail would be pushed through the floor of the car, bringing
death or serious disfigurement to the passengers in the way.
These points were called " snake heads."
In the Danbury Times of July 3d, 1844, we find the following
vivid picture of travelling by rail fifty years ago :
" HOUSATONIC RAILROAD.
" It is a fact now well known to the public that the Housa-
tonic Railroad, in its present condition, is an unsafe route of
travel. As yet, it is true, there has been no accident attended
with a great sacrifice of human life ; but there have been so
many disasters when the passengers have only escaped by the
* skin of their teeth,' that silence to well-apprehended dangers
would be a criminal disregard of the public welfare. This is a
sufficient reason for the publication of the following card, signed
by several of the passengers who were run off the track :
" To the Public :
" The undersigned passengers by the cars of the Housatonic
Railroad Company, on the trip from Bridgejiort this morning,
feel ourselves in duty bound to caution the public against said
railroad. When within about three hundred paces of the depot
at Newtown, the car in which we wei'e seated was thrown off
the track with gi-eat violence, and it was only through the inter-
HISTORY OF DANB0RY. 277
position of a merciful Providence that we escaped without the
loss of life. The railroad is in a most dangerous condition, and
we counted in a distance of sixty rods over fifty ' snake heads,'
from one to three inches high. Nothing but an imperative sense
of duty to the travelling public has induced us to caution them
against patronizing said railroad."
NEW YORK, HOUSATONIC AND NORTHERN RAILROAD.
This was the official title of a railway that had more name
than road-bed. Its familiar local title was "The Dummy,"
from the fact that a dummy engine was its only motive power.
This railway company was organized under the General Railroad
Act of 1850, and the articles of association were duly tiled in the
office of the Secretary of State in October, 1853. The amount
of the capital stock was $1,000,000. About two thirds of this
amount was subscribed chiefly by people living along the line of
the proposed road. The length of the road was thirty -nine and
three quarter miles. It was designed to run from White Plains,
connecting with the Harlem Railway at that point. It was to
take in North Castle, Bedford, Cross River, North Salem, Ridge-
bury, Danbury, and finally Brookfield, where it was expected to
connect with the Housatonic Road. Its southern object was
N ew York City, and its northern object the great West.
It was expected that the cost of the road, fully equipped,
would be $1,500,000. It was estimated that the business would
amount to $475,000 a year. Besides this, there was the business
that was to come from the Housatonic Road, and, again, that
from the Boston and Erie when completed to Danbury. The
chief income from freight would be in the transportation of milk
to New York City. No road ever had a more glowing future
on paper than did this, but capitalists did not appear to look at
it through the glasses used by the stockholders, and although
considerable digging was done at the south end of the road, and
that portion between Danbury and Brookfield was built, the
enterprise fell through.
In 1869 so much of the line as lies between Danbury and
Brookfield was completed, and a car was put on with a dummy
for motive power. It was hoped to catch passengers to and
from the West, but the Housatonic Railway Company from the
first looked upon the new road with an unfavorable eye, and
278 HISTORY OF DANBUEY.
showed it no more favor tlian it was obliged to. All the protec-
tion passengers had at the terminus in Brookfield was the car
and a large tree. At this end the line stopped in a meadow at
the farther end of a road that is now called Canal Street.
In 1886 the Housatonic Company leased the line, and it re-
mained in possession of that company until October 31st, 1892,
when it passed with the rest of the Housatonic system into the
control of the Consolidated Road.
RIDGEFIELD AND PORT CHESTER.
This railway was not originally designed to run beyond Ridge-
field from Port Chester, but later Danbury was taken in. A sur-
vey was made, but no work has been done upon the construction,
and it stands now as it stood in 1868.
THE SHEPAUG.
As the Danbury and Litchfield Railway this project was
broached in 1859. The road was built as far as Hawleyville on
the Housatonic Road, and there it stopped. Later the Danbury
and Norwalk Company built a branch from Bethel to Hawley-
vUle, and brought the Shepaug line to its own.
NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND.
This railway, formerly known as the Boston, Hartford and
Erie, was originally incoriDorated in 1846, but it was nearly forty
years later that it reached its connection with the Erie Railway
via Newburg on the Hudson.
The greater part of its history does not concern Danbury,
which place its rails did not reach until 1881. The road was
completed from Boston to Waterbury years before it reached
Danbury. Every little while our people were pleasantly stirred
up by an announcement of a new deal by which arrangements
had been made for completing the road to Danbury, but they
were doomed to wait a long time for the story to become a fact.
In 1881 the road was finished to Brewsters, N. Y., where it con-
nected with the New York and Northern Road for New York
City. It was believed that it would get a large part of the New
York travel from hereabouts, but the expectation has not been
realized. A little while later the line was finished to its original
western terminal point at Newburg.
The first passenger train to pass through Danbury upon the
HISTOBY OF DANBURT. 279
New York and New England Road ran from Brewsters to Boston,
July 25th, 1881.
ELI T. HOYT, FIRST PRESIDENT OF DANBURY'S FIRST RAILROAD.
Eli T. Hoyt was born in the district of Great Plain, on Septem-
ber 25th, 1793. The farm which was his birthplace was bought
directly from the Indians by his great-grandfather, John Hoyt,
who was one of the original eight settlers of Danbury. Upon
reaching manhood Mr. Hoyt came into the town and engaged in
business with his brother, Russell Hoyt. In 1817 the firm began
the manufacture of hats, and established a sale store in Charles-
ton, S. C.
In 1840 Mr. Hoyt retired from biisiness, but not from active
life. He interested himself in the project of railway communi-
cation with the Sound, and was one of several who obtained a
charter from the Legislature for such a road in 1835. From
that time until the road was built, in 1851, he worked steadily
and faithfully in the face of a host of difficulties and discourage-
ments for the success of the enterprise. He was the first presi-
dent of the company, and retained that position until August
25th, 1864, when the controlling interest in the stock passed into
the hands of Norwalk parties.
Mr. Hoyt was representative of this town in the House for
1833 and 1834, and in 1844 was elected to the Senate from this
district. He was a member of the first Board of Trustees of the
Danbury Savings Bank, and a director in the Danbury Mutual
Insurance Company. He united with the First Congregational
church in 1831, and was chosen a deacon in 1858. For fifty
years he was a teacher in the Sunday-school.
His kind heart and generous hand were always ready when
there was need. Some of his deeds of helpfulness were neces-
sarily made public, but many of them are known only to those
who were the recipients of his kindness. In the church he was
most generous, and by giving freely himself incited others to do
likewise. To the last day of his long and useful life he was in-
terested in the pleasures, the projects, and the needs of those
about him.
He died suddenly on August 14th, 1893, passing in quiet sleep
from the night of earth to the dawn of heaven. His memory is
green, and his " works do follow him."
CHAPTER XXXIV.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY — FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
In 1696, the year of the fonnation of this church, Danbury
had been organized as a town but three years, although its first
settlement was in 1684. Among the records of a General Court
held at Hartford, May 14th, 1696, we find the following : " Upon
the petition of the towne of Danbury this court granted them
liberty to embody themselves into church estate in an orderly
way with the consent of neighbor churches. " Previous to this
a meeting-house had been built on " the Town Street" (now
Main Sti-eet), a little north of the present Court. House. The
court grant above quoted is the only record in existence respect-
ing the origin of the church, not even the names or number of
the original members being known. It is supposed that Mr.
Seth Shove was ordained pastor at the time the church was
organized in 1696.
Seth Shove was the son of Rev. George Shove and Hopestill
[Newman] Shove ; was born at Taunton, Mass. , December 10th,
1667 ; graduated from Harvard College in 1687, and was in Sims-
bury, Conn., from 1691 until he settled in Danbury.* The pas-
torate of Mr. Shove was tenninated by his death, October 3d,
] 735. His tombstone bears the following inscription : ' ' Here
lyes buried ye body of Rev. Mr. Seth Shove, ye pious and faith-
ful pastor of ye church in Danbury 39 years, who died October
3d, Anno Domini 1735. ^tatis sucb, 68."
On January 6th, 1735-36, Mr. Ebenezer White was unani-
mously called by a town meeting to become the minister of the
Danbury Church, on a salary of £200 (of the then tenor) and
the use of the parsonage ' ' while he continues to be their min-
ister and holds to and abides in the Presbyterian or Congrega-
tional order." He was ordained pastor on March 10th of the
* History of Taunton, Mass. By Rev. Samuel Hopkins Emery.
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 281
same year, and for more than twenty-six years preached with
rare acceptance to a united people. In 1763 the first symptoms
of any disaffection appear. The minutes of the church meet-
ings record in the fewest words possible the votes taken in suc-
cessive gatherings during these discussions. No indication of
favor or prejudice, no display of feeling appears in these model
records, but the history of the differences is recorded in two thin
pamphlets published in New Haven in 1764. These accounts
show that the dispute was one of those frequent conflicts on
points of obscure doctrine which so often disturbed the early
churches in New England, and which led not infrequently to
the establishment of new churches and even of new towns. " A
Brief Narrative of the Proceedings of the Associations against
Mr. White, Pastor of the First Church in Danbiiry, since the
Year 1762" (thirty pages), was printed by some friend of the
pastor ; while " A Vindication of the Proceedings of the Asso-
ciation and Council by the Committee of the Fii'st Society"
(seventy-nine pages) presents officially the position of Mr.
White's opponents. From this statement it appears that on
May 31st, 1763, while the eastern Association of Fairfield
County was in session at Bethel, five of Mr. White's parishioners
(Benjamin Sperry, Daniel Taylor, Jr., John Wood, Thaddeus
Benedict, and Samuel Dickinson) presented allegations to the
Association that ' ' Mr. White, whose principles and preaching
we have till lately highly esteemed, has embraced some new
sentiments which are to us contrary to the Gospel as explained
in the Saybrook platform. ' ' To illustrate these sentiments vari-
ous expressions are adduced fi'om ten or more semaons of Mr.
White, the first of which may be partly quoted as an example
of the rest and as a specimen of the fine religious distinctions of
those days. In a sermon from these words, ' ' There is none that
seeketh after God," he (Mr. White) said that '' any person who
has an earnest desire after an interest in Christ is a true believer,
and may rejoice as such ; that no natural man ever seeks after
an interest in Christ in any sense, for to seek always supposes
faith in the person that does seek."
Without waiting to receive Mr. White's answer, for which he
desired suitable time, the Association had adjourned after call-
ing a special council to meet in Danbury on August 3d, " to hear
and determine the case respecting the Rev. Mr. White."
282 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
This call for a council aroused considerable feeling in the Dan-
bury Church, and on June 28th they renounced the Saybrook
platform as their rule of church government, and owned them-
selves to be a Congregational church, holding communion " not
only with Congregational churches, but with those under the
Saybrook platform." This action became a greater offence to
the consociations than any utterances of the pastor. It was
claimed by him and by the church that he had been called
according to either the Presbyterian or Congregational order,
and by a large majority the church expressed its preference for
the latter.
The minority pointed out that in 1708, long before Mr. White
was called, the church had been represented in the meeting of
Fairfield County churches which adopted the Saybrook platform
as their rule, and Mr. White responded that he was not a party
except to the terms of his call. Notwithstanding this attitude,
Mr. White and his adherents submitted the promised answer to
the council on August 3d in the form of proposals for harmony.
These proposals, which led to a three months' truce, were signed
by Ebenezer White, Thomas Benedict, Jr., Ebenezer Barnum,
Joseph Peck, Benjamin Boughton, Ebenezer Benedict, Daniel
Benedict, Samuel Gregory, John Trowbridge, Nathaniel Gregory,
Thomas Stephens, and Samuel Barnum.
The dissatisfaction continued, however, and the united Council
of the Eastern and Western Associations met on January 3d,
1764, to hear the case further as regarded Mr. White and the
conduct of the church in renouncing the Saybrook platform.
The council denied the right of the church to renounce the Say-
brook platform ' ' without having asked a dismission from these
churches," and gave notice to Mr. White that his pastoral rela-
tions would be dissolved by the council if he should not " own
and retract what he had said or done amiss' ' (including his lead-
ing his church to revoke their votes above referred to), etc.
The church and its pastor declined to revoke their action, and
so notified the council when it met again on March 26th by a
letter from Mr. White and a paper signed by the deacons and
others of the church.
It would seem that so far as these papers related to points of
doctrine they were sufficiently satisfactory, but on the point of
refusing to accept the Saybrook platform in place of Congrega-
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 283
tional rule Mr. White was firm, pointing out liis objections and
declaring, " I cannot, therefore, consistent with a good con-
science, adopt it as being in all respects a proper rule of church
government." This the society had again recently voted to
maintain.
The council thereupon drew up their judgment that " this
council do acknowledge those that have signified their adherence
to our constitution as continuing to be the First Consociated
Church in the First Society of Danbury ;" and "in these cir-
cumstances this council find themselves obliged to declare that
the pastoral relation between the Rev. Ebenezer White and the
church and the First Society in Danbury ought to be dissolved."
The final paragraph, which restrained Mr. White from j^reaching
in the churches of the Consociation ' ' till he should make satis-
faction to the acceptance of the Consociation, ' ' was warmly con-
tested, but was finally carried by a small majority.
The committee of the church arranged at once to have another
minister preach for them the following Sabbath in the meeting-
house, while the adherents of Mr. White, being a majority of the
church, provided themselves with temporary quarters in a house.
The seceding party declaring themselves independent of the
Consociation, formed a new church organization imder the name
of the New Danbury Church. Retaining Mr. White as pastor,
they built a house of worship in 1768, which nine years later
was burned by the British. In 1779 Rev. Ebenezer White died,
and soon afterward the New Danbury Church became extinct.*
The following extracts from the society's book of this church
will be of interest to readers, as showing the ways in which our
fathers walked over a century ago :
" At a meeting held on June 1st, 1754 : The Church by Vote
Do appoint & Impower Thomas Benedict, Capt. Daniel Taylor,
* The handing down of given names from fatlier to son, in which our ancestors
so much delighted, has been the cause of many mistal^es and much mixed history.
In this case, although Rev. Ebenezer White became somewhat liberal in his theo-
logical views, there are records to prove that he did not become a follower of
Sandeman, as has been erroneously stated. In the centennial sermon (to which we are
indebted) of Rev. Joel J. Hough, delivered in the First Congregational Church of Dan-
bury, on July 9th, 1876, we find the following in regard to the New Daubury Church :
" The church was greatly weakened by the loss of their meeting- house, and by defec-
tions to the Sandemanians, among which was that of Rev. Ebenezer Russell White
(son of Ebenezer White), who in 1768 had become colleague pastor with his father."
284 HISTORY OF D ANBURY.
Capt. John Wood or Either Two of them to be a Committee with
fuU power to ask for and receive into their Care and Custody the
Silver Basen belonging to this Church for the Use of Baptism as
also the Utentials belonging to this Church for the Use of the
Table for the Sacrement of the Lords Super as platters, flaggins,
Cups, Juggs, lining &c. and the Same to hold and Secure for
the Use of the Church."
" At a Society Meeting held January 3d, 1755, it was voted
' that the piue Madam White Uesed to Set in shall bare in Dig-
nity with the piue opposite and be Reckned as one in Dignity
with sd Seat The Middle piue in the alley to be Reckned Next
after the Third in Dignity according to the formour Dignifying
of Seats and the hind piue in the alley to be Reckned Next after
the fourth Dignity, according to the old Seatting the Rest to be
as formourly Dignifyed and the Number of persons to be put
into The new piues to be left with the Society Committee to
order and Give Directions to the Committee who are to seat sd.
house.
' ' Att sd. meeting Deac. Joseph Peck and Deac. Daniel Bene-
dict moving to the Society for a Seat in sd. Seatting Votes that
sd. Deacons have the liberty of setting in the fore seat in Case
the Deacons Seat Cant be made Convenient to their Esceptence.
Att sd. meeting Mr. Halley and Mr. Willey Voted to Set in the
2 long seat, Mr. Ambler to Set in the j^iue on the left hand of
the End Doer, Mr. Clark to Set in the Same, Mr. Bennit in the
Seat below the piller Seat, Mr. John Trowbridg in the piue the
Right Side the End Doer also Mr. Daniel Comstock in the same
piue.
' ' Att sd. meeting the Society by Vote allow Mr. Daniel Taylor
his Request to Set in the fore Seat in line of ye first piue.
" Att sd. meeting Isaac Hoyt undertook to Tell people where
to Sett after Seatting for £0.-2—0."
' ' Att a Society meeting held in Danbury in the prime Society,
December 22d, A.D. 1755, voted, that Mr. Adam Clark Set in
the piue on the South Side of the End Doer his wife accordingly
against him.
" Voted also that Mr. John Trowbridg Set in piue with Mr.
Clark his wife accordingly against him."
" At a Society Meeting legally warned held in Danbury Decem-
ber the 14th, A.D. 1756, Capt. John Benedict Modei-ator. The
HISTORY OF DANBUET. 285
meeting-house to be Sweept was lett to Dann'l Starr for—
0—19—9.
"The meeting by Vote is adjourned to the 21 of Instant
December at 9 of the clock in the four Noon. "
December 21st, " Voted that here be but Ten men Seatted in
the first piue all The Rest the Same Number in Each piue and
Seat as in the last Seatting. Voted also that persons Give in
their ages to sd. Committee by the 15 of January Next."
In 1767, " Mr. John Trowbridge, Mr. David Whitlock, Ensign
Eleazer Starr, Mr. Philip Corbin, and Mr. James Bradley are by
vote Desired to Take Cair and Tune the Psalms in our Publick
worship."
At a society meeting held December 26th, 1770, " Nathnl
Ketcham, Daniel Taylor, Junr. and Daniel Wood were appointed
Quoristers with the others appointed to Tune the Psalm in
Publick worship in this Society."
" Voted to Give Ebenezr Munson his Last years Rate.
" The Society by Vote appoint the Great or first Pue be the
Place for Daniel Taylor Esqr. and his wife to Set for the futer."
" The Society by vote order the Great or Pue Next the Deacons
Seat be tlie Place for the following aged Women to Set, viz. : — the
two aged widdow Hoyts, Eunice Starr, Miss Hannah Hill and
Elenor Weed."
" The Society by vote order that Deac. Daniel Benedict Set in
the Great or first Pue."
" The Society by Vote order that all those Persons that have
Neaver been Seated in the Meeting House Shall bring in an
account of their age to the Comtee. within ye space of one weak
from this Time in order they may be Seated thereon."
At a meeting of the First Society in Danbury, held on May
21st, 1787, " the Question was put whether the Society will pro-
ceed to Glaze the Meeting House, Lay the lower floors, plaister
the whole body of the House except under the Gallery floors,
make a partition & Door between the House & Steple, erect the
pillows under the Gallery girts, case the windows and posts of
the House Glaze the Steeple and lay the under floor of the same.
Past in the affirmative."
At a society meeting held January 7th, 1796, it was " Voted
to seat the meeting house by the following rule (viz.) multiply
each persons age by Ten and to that product add the list of each
286 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
person for the year 1795 including one head in each list whether
actually in the list or not and no more.
" That men and their wives be seated together and that People
have their choice of a seat according to their respective footings.
" Voted that Col. Cooke, Esq. Whittelsey, John McLean,
Comfort Hoyt Junr., & Col. Taylor be a Comtee. to receive the
Ages and make out the footings.
" Voted that People give in their Ages by the first day of
February next.
" Voted that the Pew next the Pulpit stairs be reserved for
the Ministers family and the one next the Pulpit the East side
and the first and second seat next the East Alley be reserved for
widows & strangers."
In February, 176.5, Mr. Noadiah Warner was ordained pastor
of this chiirch, but his pastorate was brief and much interrupted
by efforts made to secure the return of the seceders ; he on two
occasions consenting to relinquish his pulpit for several months
that candidates might be listened to by both parties, it being
understood that if a man was found upon whom all could unite,
Mr. Warner would resign in his favor.
Variances about pecuniary matters and a lack of the spirit
of concession thwarted these efforts, but they so much disturbed
the relations of ]\Ir. Warner to the church, that he sought a
dismission at the expiration of the third year of his pastor-
ate.
On April 3d, 1769, a call to the jDastorate was given by the
church and society to "the worthy Mr. Jeremiah Daj''," who
supplied the pulpit for a few weeks, but did not accept the call.
The year following he married ]\Iiss Lucy Wood, one of the
young members of the church.
" Att a meeting of the first Society in Danbury Legally warned
held in Danbury September the 4th A.D. 1769, the Question was
Put whether the Society will Proceed to Give the worthy Mr.
Ebenezer Baldwin a Call to Setel with us in the work of the
Gospel ministry. Past in the affairmative by a universal vote."
Our ancestors evidently believed in due deliberation, for at a
society meeting held on May 21st, 1770, " the Question was Put
whether the Society would Continue their Call to the Worthy
Mr. Ebenezer Baldwin to Setel with us in the work of the Gospel
ministry. Past in the affairmative by a universal vote."
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 287
The records of the first Church of Christ in Danbiiry were
" begun September 19, 1770, kept by Ebener. Baldwin Pastor of
said church."
" Sept. 19, Ebenezer Baldwin from Norwich was ordained
pastor of the fst. Chh. in Danbury, by the Consociation of the
Eastern District of Fairfield County."
During his ministry of six years there were added to the full
communion of the church fifty-four, and ten were admitted to
the half-way covenant.
At that day the practice of the churches was to allow baptized
persons, who did not profess conversion, to assent to the church
covenant, which act brought them into connection with and
under the jurisdiction of the church, although they did not join
in communion.
Mr. Baldwin married 68 couples, baptized 113 children, and
attended 149 funerals. The summer of 1775 was one of great
mortality in Danbury, and of the 130 deaths in the town that
year, 82 were within the limits of the First Society, and 62
funerals were attended by Mr. Baldwin in the three months of
June, July, and August.
The pastorate of Mr. Baldwin covered those exciting years in
the national history that preceded and marked the commence-
ment of the Revolution. At that day no class of citizens was
more conspicuous for patriotism than the Congregational clergy
of New England, and among them Mr. Baldwin was noted for
his zeal and signal ability. Almost all the writing for the public
prints at that time was done by the clergy. In 1774 Mr. Bald-
win prepared and published a spirited address to the people of
the western part of the colony to arouse them to a sense of the
danger in which their liberties were involved. In November,
1775, on the day set apart for Thanksgiving in the Colony of
Connecticut, at a period which he regarded as the most calam-
itous the British colonies ever beheld, he preached a sermon
designed to wake up the spirits of the people in the important
struggle in which they were engaged. So excellent, encourag-
ing, and appropriate was this sermon, that it was called for and
printed at the expense of a leading member of the Episcopal
Church. A copy is preserved in the archives of the New York
Historical Society. Mr. Baldwin, with other ministers of the
Association, arranged a series of circular fasts in the churches of
2o« HISTORY OF DANBURT.
Fairfield County in the spring of 1776 on "account of the
threatening aspect of public affairs."
Mr. Baldwin's brother Simeon and James Kent, afterward
Chancellor Kent, of New York, and author of Kent's Commen-
taries, were members of a class of young men who studied under
the direction of Mr. Baldwin while pastor of this church. Chan-
cellor Kent, in a Phi Beta Kappa oration given at Yale in 1831,
paid a beautiful tribute to the memory of Mr. Baldwin. Speak-
ing of the tutors in that college, he said :
" Suffer me for a moment to bring to recollection from among
this class of men the Rev. Ebenezer Baldwin, of Banbury, for it
is to that great and excellent man tliat the individual who has
now the honor to address you stands indebted for the best part
of his early classical education. Mr. Baldwin was tutor in this
college for the period of four years, and he settled as a minister
in the First Congregational church of Danbury in the year 1770.
He was a scholar and a gentleman of the fairest and brightest
hopes. He was accustomed to read daily a portion of the
Hebrew Scriptures, and he was extensively acquainted with
Greek and Roman literature. His style of preaching was sim-
ple, earnest, and forcible, with the most commanding and grace-
ful dignity of manner. His zeal for learning was ardent, and
his acquisitions and reputation rapidly increasing, when he was
doomed to fall prematurely in the tiower of his age, and while
engaged in his country's service. Though his career was pain-
fully short, he had lived long enough to attract general notice
and the highest respect by his piety, his learning, his judgment,
and his patriotism. He took an enlightened and active interest
in the rise and early progress of the American Revolution. Iq
the gloomy campaign of 1776 he was incessant in his efforts to
cheer and animate his townsmen to join the militia which were
called out for the defence of New York. To give weight to his
eloquent exhortations, he added that of heroic example. He
went voluntarily as a chaplain to one of the militia regiments,
composed mostly of his own parishioners. His office was pacific,
but he nevertheless arrayed himself in military armor.
" I was present when he firmly but affectionately bade adieu
to his devoted parishioners and affectionate pupils. This was
about August 1st, 1776, and what a moment in the annals of this
country ! There never was a period more awful and portentous.
Deacon Juiis Fkv.
Deacon Eli T. Hoyt
Deacon John F. Bear
HISTORY OF DANBTJRY. 289
It was the very crisis of our destiny. The defence of New York
had become desperate. An enemy's army of thirty thousand
men, well disciplined and well equipped, was in its vicinity ready
to overwhelm it. General Washington had, to oppose them,
less than eighteen thousand men, and part of them extremely
sickly. Nothing could have afforded better proof of patriotic
zeal than Mr. Baldwin's voluntary enlistment at this critical
juncture. The militia, much reduced by sickness, after two
months' service were discharged. Mr. Baldwin fell a victim to
the sickness that prevailed in the army, having only strength
sufficient to reach home, where he died October 1st, ' honored
by the deepest sympathies of his own people, and with the pub-
lic veneration and sorrow.' "
While in the army Mr. Baldwin made and sent home a will
which is dated ' ' September 10th, 1776, at the camp below Turtle
Bay, N. Y.," and prefaced with the following words : " Mindful
of the uncertainty of life at all times, and of the special danger
of life when engaged in war, I think it proper to make this my
last will and testament."
As being connected with this church history, the following
item from the copy of the will on record is here given : ' ' Whereas
I have been in the ministry biit a few years, and have received
from the First Society in Danbviry a considerable settlement, I
would willingly refund a part of it ; but as it has been wholly
expended in a house and lot, ' tis not in my power, unless the
Society will make a purchase of it. I do therefore will and
bequeath to the First Society in Danbury my dwelling-house,
barn, and home lot (which have cost me between £500 and £600)
in case they will pay to my executors the sum of £360. ' '
In case the society did not decide to do this, other disposition
of the property was provided for, the avails to go to his heirs.
The society fulfilled the condition and received the house, which
stood on the site now occupied by the parsonage of the Meth-
odist Society.
A memoir of Mr. Baldwin, prepared by his brother Simeon
Baldwin, formerly Judge of the Supreme Court of Connecticut,
is published in " Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit."
This memoir states that Mr. Baldwin never married. It describes
him as " a very handsome, well-built man, with manly health
and cheerful spirits." His library was imported by himself, and
290 HISTORY OF DANBUEY.
was one of the best in the colony at that day. His love for
books led him to move in the matter of a public or town library.
It is stated in his memoir that " soon after his settlement in Dan-
bury he drew up the terms of subscription for a library tliat
should be free to all denominations. A small library was pro-
cured, whose benefits were immediately felt, and as the result
the inhabitants were long since enabled to exhibit one of the
best town libraries in the State."
The inscription upon his tombstone was prepared by President
Stiles, of Yale College, and is as follows :
*' In memory of Rev. Ebenezer Baldwin, A.M., late pastor of
the First church in Danbury, who was born at Norwich, July
13th, 1745 ; received his education at Yale College, where he
was graduated in 1763, and officiated several years vdth singular
reputation as a tutor in that university ; ordained a minister of
the Gospel, September 19th, 1770, and died October 1st, 1776.
He was eminent for literature and piety, an enlightened divine,
an instructive preacher. Distinguished for dignity of manners
and public usefulness ; a true and faithful patriot, an ornament
to the church, to the ministry and to his country. In grateful
remembrance of this worthy pastor and generous benefactor, the
First Society of Danbury have erected this monument."
Having thus lost their pastor in the early part of the war, this
church, absorbed in the events connected with the struggle of
the Revolution, failed to settle another pastor until the war was
ended. Consociation records tell us that Rev. Ebenezer Brad-
ford served the church as stated supply from April 9th, 1777, to
November 22d, 1779, and that from April 11th, 1780, to January
2d, 1782, John Rogers, D.D., supplied the pulpit. For his sal-
ary Mr. Rogers had the use of the house left the society by Mr.
Baldwin, and /or the rest relied on the generosity of the people.
October 28th, 1783, the association passed a resolution " that
the vacant churches be preached to and stirred up to the work
of securing pastors." In connection it is noted on the records
at that time that " Stratford had been vacant four years, Dan-
bury and Newtown eight years, and New Fairfield nine years."
In 1785 the society built its third meeting-house, which with
repairs and changes in 1827 and again in 1837 was occupied by
the church until 1858. Upon the completion of the church
building a call was given to Mr. Timothy Langdon, and he was
HISTORY OV DANBURY. 291
ordained August 31st, 1786. At that time the number of com-
municants was sixty-three, and to these were added during the
itfteen years' ministry of Mr. Langdon only forty-four.
This first and only pastorate of Mr. Langdon was ended by
his death on February 10th, 1801. His tombstone bears the fol-
lowing inscription :
"In memory of Rev. Timothy Langdon, A.M., late worthy
and esteemed pastor of the First Congregational church in Dan-
bury. He was born at Boston, December 4th, 1757. Graduated
at Yale College in 1781. Ordained to the work of the Gospel
ministry August 31st, 1787, and departed this life February 10th,
1801."
Mr. Israel Ward was the next pastor, and was ordained on
May 25th, 1803. In the church record, in the handwriting of
Thomas Tucker, then church clerk, is this entry : " August 3d,
1810. It has pleased God in His wise providence this morning,
to remove by death our late beloved jiastor, the Rev. Israel
Ward, in which this church is called to mourn the loss of a
faithful, wise, zealous, and godly minister of His Word. As a
proof of his love and zeal in the cause of his Saviour, and of his
instrumentality in winning souls to Christ, the records in the
book of admissions of hopeful converts to full communion may
be seen, when in the course of his ministry of only seven years,
two months, and nine days, one hundred and forty-six were re-
ceived into the bosom of the church."
His tombstone bears the inscription :
" This monument is erected by the First Society in Danbury
to the memory of Rev. Israel Ward, their late pastor. He was
born at Newark, N. J., November 24th, 1779 ; received his edu-
cation at Union College, in the State of New York ; was settled
in the ministry on the 25tli day of May, 1803, and died on the
3d day of August, 1810. He sustained the relations of life with
usefulness and reputation. As a man he was modest and hum-
ble : as a minister of Christ he was zealous and faithful.
" ' Still ia his duty prompt at every call,
He watched and wept, he prayed for all ;
He tried each art, reproved each dull delay.
Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way.' "
During the three years that intervened between the pastorates
of Mr. Ward and Mr. Andrews, the records show the bap-
292 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
tisms of children by ten different clergymen, a fact which
would seem to imply numerous candidates for the vacant
pulpit.
Rev. Mr. Andrews was the first pastor of the church who did
not begin his ministry in Danbury. He came from Windham,
Conn., and was installed June 30th, 1813. Shortly after the
beginning of Mr. Andrews's jjastorate, a day of fasting and prayer
w^as observed by the church " on account of the sins of church -
members and the coldness of the church." The thirteen years
of Mr. Andrews' s stay with the church seem to have been marked
with strong lines of stern church discipline, in accordance with
the ecclesiastical laws of those days. ' ' Narrow and exceeding
straight" were the paths of " professors" during the early years
of this century.
The "famous cases of discipline" (so called by Dr. Leonard
Bacon) in 1824-25 caused a division in the church, which led to
efforts for the dismission of Mr. Andrews. As a whole the
church stood by and sustained their pastor, while the majority
of the society were opposed to him. At length a compromise
was effected, Mr. Andrews resigning his oflBce of pastor, and
the society paying him in addition to all salary due the sum of
$900, the church for the sake of peace acquiescing in this arrange-
ment. (To raise this money, the parsonage meadow was sold.)
By a council of the consociation, Mr. Andrews was dismissed May
29th, 1826. After leaving Danbury Mr. Andrews became pastor
of the church in Cornwall, Conn., which position he filled until
January 1st, 1838, the date of his death.
Mr. Andrews is represented by those who knew him as a man
of strong mind, of inflexible will, and unshrinking courage — a
man of sincere piety and earnest loyalty to his convictions. He
was not a man born to temporize, and no considerations of per-
sonal advantage or popularity could swerve him a hair's breadth
from the path that in his judgment was in accordance with right
and diity.
Mr. Anson Rood was ordained pastor on April 23d, 1829.
Not until Mr. Rood's time did the church have a conference-
room. In 1830, the first year of his ministry, the second story
of the building next south of the old Baptist church on Main
Street was rented at $30 a year for that purpose. The social
meetings of the church were held in this room until 1837, when
HISTORY OF DANBTTRY. 293
the meeting-house was raised up and a conference-room made in
the basement.
In 1834 the church voted : " That it highly disapproved of
traffic in lottery tickets by any of its members," and at the same
time the following resolution was passed : " Resolved that we
deeply lament and deplore that any of the members of the church
should be guilty of selling ardent spirits." A few years later
the temperance sentiment must have been somewhat stronger
and bolder, as the church did not stop with resolutions of
lament, but disciplined and excommunicated a member for sell-
ing rum.
After a pastorate of nearly nine years, Mr. Rood resigned his
office. For the next ten years he had charge of a church in
Philadelphia, which under his care grew from weakness to
strength and vigor. He died at his residence in West Philadel-
phia in January, 1858.
Before Mr. Rood announced to the church his intention of
resigning, he secured the aid of Rev. Rollin S. Stone in some
revival meetings that were in progress ; and upon his departure
the church, without hearing other candidates, gave Mr. Stone a
call to the pastorate which was accepted, his installation taking
place two months after the dismission of Mr. Rood.
Early in the pastorate of Mr. Stone four of the church-mem-
bers—David Foot, Darios Starr, Russell Hoyt, and Eli T. Hoyt
— presented the society with the parsonage house and lot on
Main Street, the cost of which was $2000. In 1846 Mr. David
Foot presented the church with its first organ, which cost $600.
The baptismal bowl belonging to the church communion ser-
vice was hammered from a baU of soUd silver, and has been in
use over one hundred and forty years. The inscription engraved
upon it reads : " The gift of Comfort Stan*, Marcht. in Danbury,
Connecticut, N. E. To the Church of Christ in said town, Aug.
25, 1753."
At the commencement of Mr. Stone's ministry the member-
ship of the church was one hundred and eighty-three. During
the twelve years of his pastorate there were added two hundred
and eight. Mr. Stone closed his labors with the church on Feb-
ruary 12th, 1850. He subsequently had charge of the church at
Easthampton, Mass. , and for several years held a position as city
missionary in Brooklyn, N. Y. From that city he removed to
294 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Hartford, where, after years of failing health, he died on March
17th, 1895, and was buried in Wooster Cemetery, in Danbury,
beside his wife, whose tombstone bears this touching inscription,
" Good-bye till morning." For him the morning has dawned.
Ten months after the resignation of Mr. Stone, Rev. Samuel G.
Coe became pastor, his installation taking place December 4th,
1850. During the pastorate of Mr. Coe the present church edi-
fice was built. As our ancestors had outgrown their early log-
houses, so the church had outgrown its old meeting-house. The
cost of this building with the land was about $22,000. It was
dedicated on Wednesday, April 28th, 1858.
Mr. Coe w^as pastor during the greater part of the Civil War,
and his sermons were helps to the loyal and patriotic. In June,
1864, feeling the need of rest from the care of a parish, Mr. Coe
resigned his office as pastor of this church. During the years of
his stay the membership increased from 216 to 356.
After leaving Danbury, Mr. Coe supplied the pulpit at Ridge-
held for four years, and preached for six months in the Second
Presbyterian chiirch of Cleveland, O. He died in New Haven,
December 7th, 1869. His memory is fragrant in the hearts of
many to whom he ministered.
Rev. A. L. Frisbie, of Ansonia, became pastor in July, 1865.
During his ministry improvements were made upon the parson-
age, and largely through his efforts a new organ was secured at
a cost of $3500. Among the fruits of his ministry are some of
the best Christian workers in the church. Mr. Frisbie resigned
on September 11th, 1871, and removed to Des Moines, la.,
becoming pastor of the Congregational church in that city. At
the time of his departure the membership of the church was 377.
After a vacancy of two years Rev. Joel J. Hough began his
labors as pastor, October 12th, 1873. During his pastorate the
main ai;dience-room, Sunday-school, and social rooms were im-
proved and refurnished at considerable expense, and the church
was in a flourishing condition in all departments of its work.
Mr. Hough was dismissed on December 19th, 1878.
Rev. James W. Hubbell was installed as pastor on May 20th,
1879. During his stay the church interior was renewed and a
chapel built at an expense of $17,000. Some of the largest acces-
sions to the membership of the chiirch were made during the
pastorates of Mr. Frisbie and Mr. Hubbell.
HISTORY OF DANBCTRY. 295
The latter resigned in October, 1886, and was succeeded on
May 19th, 1887, by the Rev. J. Allen Maxwell, D.D. The first
year of his pastorate was marked by the sale of the parsonage
on Main Street, the building of a handsome new parsonage ad-
joining the church, and by the addition to the membership in
March, 1888, of thirty-two new members. Dr. Maxwell died, at
the parsonage, on Thanksgiving Day, November, 1890, leaving
the church " to mourn the loss of a devoted pastor, a wise coun-
sellor, efficient teacher, and loving friend." Gentle and refined,
modest and unassuming, he was " a ripe scholar, an eloquent
and earnest preacher, and a faithful pastor." " His life was a
benediction, his death a glorious translation. "
The present pastor of the church is Rev. Albert F. Pierce, who
began his pastorate on October 15th, 1891. Since the beginning
of his pastorate many changes and repairs have been made, prin-
cipally in the chapel and social rooms of the church.
The deacons of this church have been : Samuel Benedict,
James Beebe, John Gregory, Richard Barnum, Joseph Gregory,
James Beebe, James Benedict, John Benedict, Nathaniel Greg-
ory, Joseph Peck, Daniel Benedict, Thomas Benedict, Joseph P.
Cooke, Sr., Joshua Knapp, Samuel Wildman, Amos Hoyt,
Joseph P. Cooke, Jr., Thomas Tucker, Eliakim Starr, Ezra
Boughton, Lewis S. Hoyt, Oliver Stone, Isaac Ives, John F.
Beard, John Fry, Eli T. Hoyt, Judah P. Crosby, Harvey Will-
iams, George Downs, George Mc Arthur, Edgar A. Benedict,
W. A. Gordon, Edward E. Harrison, M. P. Reynolds. Deacons
Williams, Downs, McArthur, Gordon, Harrison, and Reynolds
still minister in their office, but the others have finished their
service here and gone to their reward.
The church has a fine memorial window, presented by the
mother of Edgar A. Benedict in memory of her son.
ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The earKest record in the possession of this church is of date
1812. From other sources we have gathered the following regard-
ing its earlier years :
In 1727 Rev. Henry Caner, a graduate of Yale, went to Eng-
land for holy orders, and on his return in the autumn of that
year became a missionary to Fairfield. He sought out the
churchmen in the adjacent regions, and in his first report to the
296 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Society for the Proijagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, in
the year 1728, he mentions " a village northwestward of Fairfield
about eighteen miles, containing twenty families, the name of
it is Chestnut Ridge [Redding], where I usually preach and lec-
ture once in three weeks." He also visited Ridgefield and Dan-
bury, and stated that there were in these places ten or fifteen
families professing the doctrine of the Church of England.
About 1763 the first Episcopal church was erected in this
place, and opened on its partial completion by the Rev. Ebenezer
Dibble, a native of Danbury and missionary at Stamford and
Greenwich. Occasional ministrations were held here by Rev.
Mr. Leaming and Rev. Mr. Beach, of Newtown. In 1769 the
missionary at Newtown speaks of the new church building at
Danbury as ' ' with a decent steeple and large enough to accom-
modate from four hundi-ed to five hundi-ed people. ' ' This ' ' de-
cent steeple' ' was given to the church by John McLean, a nota-
ble citizen of old Danbury.
In 1777, at the burning of Danbury, General Tryon and his
troops took the military stores from the church and burned
them, but saved the sacred edifice. The ' ' meeting-house' ' of
the New Danbury Church, however, was devoted to the flames.
In 1794 the Rev. David Perry, of Ridgefield, resigned the pas-
toral charge of the parishes of Ridgefield, Redding, and Dan-
bury. Rev. David Butler succeeded him, and Rev. Elijah G.
Plum was rector from 1808 to 1812. On October 6th, 1802, the
church here was consecrated by Bishop Jarvis.
In 1809 there were reported 70 families and 22 communicants.
In 1816 there were 41 communicants, in 1822, 44, and in 1824, 49
communicants. From 1812 to 1819 the Rev. Reuben Hubbard
was rector, from 1819 to 1823 Rev. Ambrose S. Todd, and from
1823 to 1836 Rev. Lemuel Beach Hull.* After leaving Danbury
Rev. Mr. Hull went to WaUingford, and then to Milwaukee,
being the first Episcopal clergyman to settle in Wisconsin.
* Rev. Lemuel Beach Hull was a descendant of Rev. John Beach, -who was a resi-
dent of East Redding for twenty years, and rector of the church for a half century,
taking charge of that parish in 1733, and preaching also in Danbury, Ridgefield,
and Newtown. He was the son of Isaac and Hannah (Birdsey) Beach ; was bom in
Stratford, October 6th, 1700 ; graduated at Yale College in 1721 ; was ordained
pastor of the Congregational church at Newtown, Conn., in 1734 ; went to England
in 1731 to receive Episcopal orders ; returned to take charge of the mission of that
church in Newtown and Redding, and died in 1782. — Orcutt's Stratford.
M '
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 297
In 1836 there were only five families and forty communicaats
remaining of the original chiirchmen. Up to this date the parish
had clerical services once in three or four weeks, and from 1808
had been associated with Christ church, Redding, and for a
part of the time with Ridgefield. After the chapel (now St.
Thomas' church, Bethel) was built in 1835 the services were
divided between the two alternately once in four weeks.
In 1836 the parish of St. James' church and St. Thomas' chapel
attempted to have the services of a clergyman the whole time,
but failed for lack of means. From Easter in 1838 to Easter
of 1839 Dr. Short divided his time equally between Danbury
and Brookfield, and the Christian Knowledge Society aided in
the pajTnent of his salary.
From 1836 to 1840 the Eev. David H. Short was rector of St.
James'. In September, 1837, he married here Mary Emmeline,
daughter of Captain Elijah Gregory. She died suddenly in
August of the next year.
In 1840 Rev. Thomas T. Guion became rector, and remained
in charge of the church until 1847.
In 1844 the first church at the lower end of Main Street was
abandoned, and a new church erected in West Street, near Main.
The Rev. Henry Olmstead and the Rev. John Purves wei'e asso-
ciated with the Rev. Mr. Guion, residing in Bethel and having
charge of the chapel there. From 1847 to 1854 the Rev. William
White Bronson was rector. From 1854 to 1864 the Rev. I.
Leander Townsend was rector. In 1859 the church was enlarged
by the addition of a chancel and new furniture. Rev. Dr. Haw-
ley entered upon his duties as rector on March 1st, 1864.
In 1867 the present chapel, the chancel, and first bay of the
nave of the new stone church was erected, and in 1872 the nave
and tower were completed all save the stone spire. In May,
1875, Rev. Arthur Sloane assumed the charge of the parish, to
be succeeded in September, 1880, by the Rev. Byron J. Hall.
During his pastorate the church met with a loss in the death of
Horace Marshall, who for many years had been senior warden,
the chief representative of the congregation, and adviser of the
clergymen.
In 1894 Rev. B. J. Hall resigned, and was succeeded by the
present rector, the Rev. John D. Skene, whose pastorate began
on November 1st, 1894.
298 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
HORACE MARSHALL.
Horace Marshall was bom on Christmas Eve in 1796, in Bir-
mingham, Conn. His ancestors, English and Welsh, came to
Boston about 1710. His grandfather was at one time a partner
of General Wooster in New Haven, in the West India trade, but
was unable to take an active part in the Revolution on account
of loss of sight. His sons were active participants in the cause
of independence, and one of them served on the staff of General
Wooster in the battles of Western Connecticut. Mr. Marshall
came to Danbury when twenty-one years of age, and went into
the manufacturing of carriages and furniture with William
Chappell, whose daughter Mary he afterward married.
He carried on this business until his death, and was probably
the only man in the State who continued so long in one occupa-
tion without a break. He lived in the same house and worked in
the same shop, both on Main Street, for more than half a cen-
tury. For more than fifty years he was warden of St. James'
Church, and senior warden for over forty years. He was essen-
tially an intellectual man, a natural student. Fond of books,
he was one of the original proposers and promoters of the
Mechanics' Library in this town.
He lived so long in Danbury, and was so well kno'vvn to its
people, that his death was a matter not only of general interest,
but of public importance. He passed calmly to his rest on April
7th, 1886, in the eighty -ninth year of his age.
One who knew him well has thus written : " Horace Marshall
leaves a name and record that will be cherished when monuments
of marble shall have crumbled and perished."
SANDEMANIAN CHURCH.
This ofifshoot from the old Presbyterian Church of Scotland
was first called, as a sect, Glassites, after its founder, Rev. John
Glas.* Later on it was known as Sandemanians, from the Rev.
* Rev. John Glas died at Dundee in 1773. His tombstone in that city bears the
following inscription :
" John Glas. Minister of the Congregational Church in this place, Died 2d No-
vember, 1778. Aged 78 years. He long survived Katharine Black His beloved
■wife, (Interred also in the same grave,) And all his children, Fifteen in number,
many of whom arrived at mature age : And Nine lie here beside their Parents.
His character in the churches of Christ is well known and will outlive all monu-
mental inscriptions."^
1. John Knapp.
5. Wm. I!. El.
2. KkV. ROBEIIT Sandeman.
4. Sandemanian Church.
(i. Ekv. JriHN Glass.
.3. Kat'i. Hi>
r. I.Kvr Kn
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 299
Robert Sandeman, who reduced his opinions to a system. San-
deman was bom in the city of Perth, Scotland, about the year
1720. He married Catharine, a daughter of Rev. John Glas,
and soon after became a Christian elder.
In 1764, accompanied by Mr. James Cargill, Sandeman came
to America, and assisted in the formation of several churches in
New England.
In 1769 there was a Sandemanian church in Portsmouth, N. H.,
on what was then called Brimstone Hill, now Richmond Street.
During the time of his stay in Portsmouth for the organization
of this church Mr. Sandeman occupied several times the pulpit
of the Rev. Robert Drowne, one of the " New Lights." There
was a Sandemanian church in Taunton, Mass., in the latter part
of the last century which had quite a following, but it soon
faded out of existence, as have all the churches of that belief,
the only known members being the survivors of the church in
Danbury. There was a small society of Sandemanians in New-
town many years ago.
This sect had also a place of worship in Plumtrees in the latter
part of the last century. The last member of this society was
" Uncle Isaac Williams," who long since passed to his rest, dying
July 11th, 1843.
Soon after reaching America Mr. Sandeman settled in Dan-
bury, where he died in 1771.* Many years ago the Sandemanians
had in' Danbury a following of about fifty members. Twenty
years ago this number had decreased to ten, and to-day there
are but three members in this city. Its members in England
and Scotland are fast diminishing, as additions are few. The
only church building remaining of this denomination is now a
thing of the past, and will hereafter figure only in the local his-
tory of Danbury.
After the death of Robert Sandeman the church in Danbury
was presided over by Elder Nathaniel Bishop, who died in 1857,
after which time the position was filled by William H. Ely until
his death in 1869.
* Mr. E. A. Houseman, of tliis city, has a number of letters written in shorthand
by Rev. Robert Sandeman to friends in England before his coming to America.
These are beautifully done, and in a good state of preservation. There are five
letters to Samuel Churchill, of date 1761, one to Mrs. Grace Jeffrey in 1759, and
others to Mrs. Ma.xwell and " Mrs. Birch, Caldecot House. Abington, Berkshire." In
these letters are mentioned " Battle and Allen," " Colin Robertson," and " Sallet."
300 HISTORY OF DANBUET.
The little cliurch which so many remember — plain and simple,
but glorified by its setting of green grass and tall trees upon the
hill-top— was provided with a large circular table, around which
the members gathered, each with a King James version of the
Scriptures. As each felt individually disposed they read and
commented on such passages as seemed interesting and iustruc-
tive. In this service females took no part, but were spectators
and hearers.
For a religion that antedates the Wesleyans and Baptists little
is known of it, even here in Danbury, where it has flourished
for so many years — that is, speaking in a general way. The
following is taken from an old Danbury paper :
" One of the peculiarities of the Sandemanian form of Avorship
is that they have a weekly love feast, in which the whole con-
gregation dine together. It was the original intention to have
this take place in the churches, where a dining-room was pro-
vided, but in Danbury they find it more convenient to have this
dinner served at the house of one of the members."
' ' Their rules prohibit games of chance, prayers at funerals,
college training, as well as most nineteenth-century innovations,
while in food they are forbidden to use flesh meat and ' all
things strangled.' "
Webster defines the religion, as taught by its founder, as
follows :
" He held that faith is only a simple assent to the divine testi-
mony concerning Jesus Christ as set forth in the Scriptures.
His followers hold to a weekly administration of the Lord's
Supper ; to love feasts, which consist in dining at each other's
houses in the intermission of public worship ; to the kiss of
charity on the admission of members ; to mutual exhortation ;
to abstinence from things strangled, and from blood ; to the
washing of each other's feet ; to a modified community of
goods ; to a plurality of elders, pastors, or bishops in each
chiirch."
Barber, in his " Connecticut Collections," published in 1836,
says :
" In 1764 Robert Sandeman, a native of Perth, Scotland, a
man of superior abilities, came to this country. He settled in
Danbury in July, 1765. The principal doctrines which he taught
were similar to those of the Christian Church. His distinguish-
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 301
ing tenet was ' that faitli is a mere intellectual belief.' His
favorite expression was, ' A bare belief of bare trutlis. ' He
maintained that his chiu'ch was the only true church, then arisen
from the ruins of Antichrist, his reign being near a close. The
use of means for mankind in a natural state he pretty much
exploded."
One of the things that caused the decline of the Sandemanians
in Danbury was the introduction of divisions among them. The
most prominent party that branched off from the church was
called the Osbornites, from Levi Osborne, their teacher, at one
time a deacon in the church. Another party was called the
" Baptist" Sandemanians, from their belief in and practice of
baptism. The greater majority of the latter dissenters finally
merged into the Christian Church, in Danbury, the Church of
the Disciples.
The following is the inscription upon the stone which marks
the place in the old Wooster Street burial-groi;nd, where Robert
Sandeman was laid to rest :
" Here lies
until the resun-ection
the body of
Robert Sandem.\n,
a native of Perth, North Britain,
who in the face of continual opposition
from all sorts of men,
long and boldly contended for the ancient Faith
that the bare work of Jesas Christ,
without a deed or thought on the part of man,
is sufficient to present the chief of sinners
spotless before God.
To declare this blessed truth
as testified in the Holy Scriptures,
he left his country, he left his friends,
and after much patient suffering
finished his labors at Danbury
April 2, 1771.
M 53 years.
" Deigned Christ to come so near to us as not to count it sbame
To call us brethren, should we blush at aught that bears his name ?
Nay, let us boast in his reproach and glory in his Cross,
When He appears one smile from Him will far o'erjoy our loss."
302 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.*
According to tradition the first minister of tliis persuasion to
preach in Danbury was a Mr. Coleman. History tells us that
the first sermon was preached here by Jesse Lee in 1789. Only
a few were willing to hear him, and they out of curiosity only.
Tradition says that the first society was formed in 1808, but the
first record of Danbury Methodism is a society meeting on Sep-
tember 1st, 1812, at Avhich meeting Seth Crowel was chairman
and Jabez Starr clerk.
There is no record of the cost or building of the first church
edifice, but it is said that it was first started as a building for
union services. The Universalists put some money into the
building, but soon trouble arose, and their money was retiirned
to them, and the Methodist Society owned the meeting-house.
It was a very plain building with a gallery at one end, which
was accessible only to men, it being reached by a ladder, wliich
was taken down when service commenced, so that there could be
no running out to disturb the congregation. The building was
lighted by candles placed round the walls.
The first record we find of any person being paid for taking
care of the buUding is on December 21st, 1827, when it was
" Voted To pay Ira Hurd twenty-five cents a time for sweeping
out." In the record of November 28th, 1828, we find it " Voted
To raise money by contribution to pay expenses of wood and
candles, also to take a public collection to pay a debt of $5.18."
Now came a long struggle about buUding a new house of wor-
ship, which lasted from 1829 until 1836, when a pretty little church
was built on Liberty Street where now stands the Church of the
Disciples. It is recorded that previous to that time a lot on Elm
Street was bought for $2000 and material purchased for a build-
ing, but a fire destroyed the material, and the project was aban-
doned.
When Danbury became a station Jacob Shaw was sent by the
Conference to supply the pulpit, which he did so effectually that
the society was built up from 156 members to over 300. We of
this day little know of the anxiety, prayers, and tears of the
period just before this time. Some of the leading men on the
Board of Trustees resigned because they thought the society
* Contributed by J. Clark Beers.
HISTOKY OF DANBUBT. 303
was becoming too proud. One man in particular would not give
one cent toward the new church, the old one was plenty good
enough for him. He left town for a little time, and during his
absence the enterprise went on, much to his surprise. It is prob-
able that he felt a bit ashamed of the stand he had taken in re-
gard to the church building, for one morning while the man who
was framing the building, Rory Starr by name, sat on a long
timber busy thinking where he could get a particular piece that
he needed, there was heard a great shouting down the street,
and soon Uncle Caleb came into the yard. After talking for a
while he said, " How are they getting along with the new
church ?" " Very well," was the answer, " but I am short one
timber, a long one, and was looking around and thinking where
I could procure it." "Well," said Uncle Caleb, "come down
and see what I have got out here." They went down and found
just exactly what was needed. Then Uncle Caleb said, ' ' How
about subscriptions ?" " We have done very well so far, but are
short just now," was the reply. " Well, here is an old shot-bag,
take that." It panned out $50 in silver, which was quite a lift
at that time.
At a Society meeting on December 5th, 1838, it was " Voted
That the Society employ a sexton for the ensuing year. " The
vote was reconsidered, and it was " Voted That we receive pro-
posals for this purpose and that a committee of three be ap-
pointed to receive them."
' ' June 10th, 1838, Quarterly Conference report, estimating com-
mittee' s report, $130, which added to the salary amounts to $402. "
In the original subscription list of the Liberty Street church
are many names of persons belonging to other denominations,
and some to no denomination, with amounts reaching into hun-
dreds of dollars.
September 27th, 1848, the first record in eight years of the
Quarterly Conference, Orlando Starr is mentioned as the first
superintendent of the Sunday-school, though it had been sup-
posed that W. T. Schofield was entitled to that honor. Levi
Perry is mentioned as a preacher and Samuel C. Keeler as an
exhorter.
The first report of the Sunday-school reads, ' ' the same as last
Quarter." The next is more complete, and gives the following
statistics : " Number of children connected with Danbury
304 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Station, 77 ; Average attendance, 45 ; Volumes in the Library,
425. Anaount of money expended, $18. ' ' Bethel charge — ' ' Num-
ber of scholars, 60 ; Average attendance, 46 ; Amount of money
expended, $25. ' ' About this time Bethel was set oflf by itself as
a church or station.
The next epoch of church history came in 1852, with the ad-
vent of W. C. Hoyt as pastor. He was a good preacher, one of
the practical kind, and left his mark wherever he went. During
his stay here the brick edifice was built after about as much talk
and as great a struggle as when the church on Liberty Street was
erected.
In a little book belonging to the trustees of the church we find
the following :
"March 13th, 1854.
With the Chairman in the chair
And the Secretary there,
And the brethren in their seat
Till the number was complete,
Save Selleck from Starr's Plain,
For whom we look in vain. "
January 1st, 1855, " Resolved That it's time we were at home,
and onr next meeting shall be when and where business re-
quires."
The church and parsonage were completed at a cost of about
$14,000. Mr. Hoyt received for his first year's salary $550.
January 4th, 1863. In the Sunday-school reports we read :
' ' Twelve have gone from our school to stand between us and the
traitors to our country : Abel M. Wheeler" (who died in ser-
vice), " Chas. H. Hoyt, P. C. Lounsbury, Frederick Starr, Heniy
Curtis, William Warren, George Purdy, Wm. Otis, Amos Day,
Thaddeus Feaks, John Carpenter, Hanson Smith, Charles
Patchen."
In October, 1865, salary of the minister, W. T. Hill, $1200.
At this time the afternoon preaching service was changed to the
evening. The church has grown in strength and numbers, and
its present roll stands at 1002. The Sunday-school numbers 60
teachers and 580 scholars. A new church building, the second
on the present site, was dedicated by Bishop C. D. Foss on
March 22d, 1891.
The " talk" which resulted in the building of this edifice com-
HISTORT OF DANBFRT. 305
menced with the first year of the ministry of John W. Barnhart,
1885. At first the idea was repairs of and additions to the old
church, and elaborate plans were drawn, at an expense of not
less than $150, for extending the front of the church and other
improvements, but they were abandoned with the usiaal mourn-
ing among certain members, who thought the old church good
enough for the Methodists, and said (as was said years ago under
similar circumstances) that we were " getting too proud."
The Sunday-school began to raise money about 1885 for a new
church, and before Mr. Barnhart's time was out the first thou-
sand dollars for that purjjose was in the bank, and the founda-
tion for a large chapel in the rear of the old church was laid, so
that when Rev. "W. W. Clark came to minister to the church the
enthusiasm had so grown that with a little effort money and
pledges were secured to the amount of $40,000.
Some laughable incidents occurred during the raising of the
first subscription for the new church. One man of some means
said, "You can't do it," but when he saw it was to be done said
he would give $2000 for a new church iip-town, and was followed
by others, until several thousand dollars were raised. Rev. Mr.
Clark, equal to the occasion, said, " All right, I can build two
churches as well as one. Go ahead, brethren, but there will be
a church built \ievQ first, and then one up-town if you wish it."
But when pushed to the point they backed out, and growled at
one another for not doing as they had agreed among themselves.
History repeats itself in Church as well as in State.
The church biiilding is of brick, with interior finish of hard
wood and stained-glass windows. It has a seating capacity of
1000, which can be increased to 1200. The cost of this building
was $41,494. The chapel was built at a cost of $9860, and the
new parsonage adjoining the church at $6700. A fine organ
adorns the choir loft, and the congregations at each service are
large. Verily " a little one has become a thousand. God has
wrought wonderful things. To Him be all the glory."
The following are the names of the ministers who have had
charge of the Methodist Episcopal church in Danbury from 1836
until the present time :
Jacob Shaw, two years ; Hiram Wing, who died after a few
months — John Crawford served the remainder of the two years ;
Sylvester H. Clark, 1840^2 ; James Flagg, 1842-44 ; Fitch Reed,
306 HISTORY OF DANBUBY.
1844-46 ; John Crawford, 1846-48 ; Robert Jessup, 1848-50 ;
John B. Merwin, 1850-52 ; William C. Hoyt, 1852-54 ; E. E.
Griswold, 1854-56 ; George W. Woodruff, 1856-58 ; John Miley,
1858-60 ; John Pegg, 1860-62 ; John Crawford (third time),
1862-64 ; William T. Hill, 1864, but obliged by sickness to re-
tire ; Thomas Burch, 1864-70 ; William Hatfield, 1870-73 ; John
L. Peck, 1873-76 ; Benjamin Pillsbury, 1876-77 ; Spencer H.
Bray, 1877-80 ; W. C. Steel, 1880-82 ; John Pegg, 1882-85 ;
John Barnhart, 1885-88 ; AYilliam W. Clark, 1888-1891 ; Ichabod
Simmons, 1891, the present pastor.
THE CHURCH AT STARR'S PLAIN.*
Early in the present century James Beatys lived a few rods
beyond the base of Sugar Hollow Mountain, near the corner of
the present Starr's Plain and Long Ridge roads. One cold win-
ter day Mr. Beatys was cutting wood in his door-yard, when
Rev. James Coleman, known as "Uncle Jimmy," a Methodist
preacher whose circuit extended from Ridgefield to the Canada
line, passed by on horseback, on his homeward journey from
Canada. According to the hospitable custom of that day, Mr.
Beatys in\dted the traveller in to dinner, an invitation gratefully
accepted. Finding that his guest was a minister, Mr. Beatys
asked him to make an appointment to i^reach at his house, wliich
he did two weeks later, giving the first Methodist sermon in
Starr's Plain at the house of a very strong Episcopalian. The
sermon made a deep impression, and was followed by another a
little later, the result of which was a number of conversions,
including the children of James Beatys, whose distress was
great when he saw his children turn from the church of their
father to Methodism.
The outcome of these meetings was the organization of the
first Methodist class in the town of Danbury, of which the orig-
inal seven members were Daniel Beatys and Hannah, his wife,
Levi Bronson and wife Abigail, John Mills and wife, and Joseph
Sturges. Levi Bronson became a local preacher presumably
about this time, and helped largely to build up Methodism in
this town.
About 1830 a difference of opinion in regard to action of the
* Contributed by Frederick E. Comes.
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 307
General Conference led to a division, and the Methodist Protes-
tant chnrch was organized. Services were held for a few years
in the home of Rev. Mr. Bronson, until becoming impressed
with the idea that a church building was needed, he took his
axe one day, went into the woods, selected a tree and felled it.
Then kneeling beside it he prayed that the work he had begun
might be completed, and it was, and stands as a memorial of
those faithful workers of many years ago. The fii'st regular
preacher was Rev. Marvin Lent, followed by Rev. John Cliff,
J. W. Witzel, William H. Bosely, Elizar W. Griswold, Joseph J.
Smith, Samuel M. Henderson, Richard K. Diossy, John H.
Painter, Joshua Hudson, John L. Ambler, O. C. Dickinson,
M. E. Rude, John Jones (known as the boy preacher), Peleg
Weaver, N. W. Britton, Dr. G. C. Ray, and Mark Staples, the
last regular minister. After this time the pulpit was filled by
outside preachers. Rev. Levi Osborn, of the Disciples church
of Danbury, and Allen McDonald, of the Methodist church,
were the principal ones.
About 1890 the church was closed, with only occasional ser-
vices. In the winter of 1894 it was opened again for worship by
the Young Men's Praying Band of the Methodist church of
Danbury, assisted by a granddaughter of Rev. Levi Bronson,
Mrs. Lewis Bradley. The summer following an Epworth League
was organized, its president being Mr. Bronson, a great-grand-
son of Rev. Levi Bronson. Through the efforts of this organi-
zation the church has been repaired and renovated. The Sunday-
school is in a flourishing condition, under the charge of ^Mrs.
Mills as superintendent, and the little church at Starr's Plain
has taken on a new lease of Life.
BAPTIST CHURCH.*
On November 18th, 1785, the First Baptist church within the
limits of the town of Danbury was constituted in the district of
King Street. This body enjoyed for years a large measure of
prosperity. The mother church still maintains its visibility.
About the year 1788 a church was organized under the name of
the Ridgefield and Miry Brook Baptist church. From this the
* For the latter part of this church history we are indebted to the Rev. Mr. Hub-
bard. The former is gathered from a " History of the Second Baptist Church in
Danbury," by a former pastor, published in 1869.
308 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Second Baptist churcli was constituted April 3d, 1790, and soon
afterward admitted into the Hartford Baptist Association, with
the number of twenty constituent members. The first regular
pastor was Eev. Thaddeus Bronson, who remained with the
church from the time of its organization until 1793, when he
removed to Schoharie CoTinty, N. Y.
The first deacons were Benjamin Shove and Daniel Wildman,
who were appointed October 2d, 1790. In March, 1793, Calvin
Peck was added to the number.
The first meeting-house was erected in 1794 on a lot given to
the society by Bracey Knapp, situated in Miry Brook District,
about two miles and a half west of the town of Danbury. The
building was twenty-foiir feet square, with galleries. Its archi-
tecture and interior arrangements were of rough and primitive
style.
Kev. Mr. Bronson relinquished the pastorate of the church in
1793, after which until 1798 the church was probably vsdthout a
settled pastor. Among those who ministered to the church with
favor during this period were Rev. Daniel Wildman, Rev. Justus
Hull, and Rev. Elias Lee. The name of Justus HuU deserves
special mention among those who supplied the church during
the interval mentioned. He was a young man of unusual men-
tal vigor and extraordinary ministerial gift, and his service
among the people was kept for years in fresh remembrance.
In the year 1798 Rev. Bennet Pepper, then a licentiate, came
to Miry Brook and preached until November, 1807, without
ordination, at which time he was regularly ordained and con-
tinued his services to the church. About the year 1803 the
church was called to pass through a season of trial and dark-
ness, growing out of an attempt to modify the accepted articles
of faith. The original articles bearing date January 24th, 1795,
as to their subject-matter and form of statement, are not differ-
ent in any essential particular from those now received by the
church. The mover of the proposed change in them is not
named in the records. The new ailicles proposed were, however,
essentially defective.
In the early part of Mr. Pepper' s ministry there were large
accessions to the church. This period is the first revival season
succeeding that in which the church had its origin. The pastor-
ate of Mr. Pepper closed in 1809. The church remained depend-
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 309
ent on supplies until May, 1813, when Rev. Oliver Tuttle, then
a licentiate from Bristol, Conn., was called to the pastorate and
ordained in May, 1814. Mr. Tuttle's ministry extended over a
period of nine years, from 1813 to 1822. In August of the latter
year he resigned his charge and removed to Meredith, N. Y.
From the minutes of the Union Baptist Association, which
convened at Danbury in 1817, it appears that the membership
of the church was then seventy-eight. In 1818 it was seventy.
In 1820 there is a marked decrease, the reported number being
iifty-six.
George Benedict was licensed to preach on May 12th, 1822.
In Aiigust of the following year he was ordained as pastor of
the church. He resigned the pastoral care of the church in May,
1831, to accept a call from the Stanton Street Baptist church of
New York, where he remained until his death in October 28th,
1848.
By consulting the minutes for the year 1825, we find the member-
ship increased from fifty-six — reported in 1820 — to one hundred.
During the last part of Mr. Benedict's ministry the subject of
removal of the location of the meeting-house was earnestly dis-
cussed, and ended in the lajdng of foiindations for a new build-
ing in the year 1829, upon a lot on Deer Hill, given the society
by Peter Ambler. The building, a neat and commodious edifice,
was dedicated on September 28th, 1831.
The Rev. Thomas Larcombe was called to the pastorate in
July preceding, and delivered the dedicatory sermon upon the
occasion of occupying the new building. Mr. Larcombe resigned
the pastoral charge in the early part of the year 1833, moving
from Danbury to Saugerties, N. Y., and from thence to Phila-
delphia. He has long since entered upon his rest.
Mr. Larcombe was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Robert
Turnbull, then quite recently from his native country, Scotland.
A few years previous he had graduated at the University of
Glasgow, and subsequently attended the lectures of Drs. Chal-
mers and Wilson at Edinburgh, and studied theology under Drs.
Dick and MitcheU. He arrived in New York in 1833, and soon
after accepted the call to this church. A very successful pas-
torate of one year and a haK was closed by his acceptance of an
urgent call from the Home Mission Society to occupy a field in
Detroit, Mich.
310 HISTORY OF DANBUKY.
The next regular pastor of the church was the Rev. Orson
Spencer, who entered upon the pastoral charge in May, 1835.
His call was not wholly unanimous, and his resignation followed
after a few months' service.
The church remained without a pastor until April, 1836, when
Rev. Jonathan G. Collom accepted a call and remained for three
years. It was during his ministry that the Rev. Nathaniel
Colver, who was speaking in the church against slavery, was
mobbed. An account of this occurrence will be foixnd in another
portion of this history. Mr. Collom' s resignation was tendered
to the church during the fourth year of his pastorate, and he
left Danbury to enter upon the pastoral charge of the Baptist
church at Pemberton, N. J. He removed from thence to Wil-
mington, and after to Mount Holly, N. J., where he died.
The Rev. Addison Parker was the successor of Mr. Collom.
In August, 1839, he accepted the call of the church and entered
immediately upon his work. He continued three years in the
pastoral office, during which period the church enjoyed a good
degree of prosperity.
Rev. Daniel H. Gillett having been called to the charge of
the church, entered upon it in June, 1842, but was compelled,
after a few months' service, to relinquish it on account of a
severe attack of bleeding at the lungs. He immediately sought
a southern climate, which, however, proved insufficient to arrest
the work of death.
The church remained without a pastor until the September
following, when Rev. William R. Webb accepted their call and
came upon the field. His ministry covered one year and a half.
Rev. Rufus K. Bellamy was called to the pastoral charge of
the church after the resignation of Mr. Webb, and signified his
acceptance of the call on May 9th, 1844. During his ministry
of three years the question of a removal of the church from
Deer Hill was agitated to such good purpose, that, on April 9th,
1847, negotiations were made with Thomas T. Whittlesey, Esq.,
to purchase a lot south of his then residence on Main Street, the
price paid being $1000. The building was j^ushed to completion
and dedicated on January 5th, 1848. In April following Mr.
Bellamy tendered his resignation of the pastorate to accept a
call from the Baptist church at Chicopee, Mass.
Rev. Aaron Perkins accepted a call from the church, and
HISTORY OP DANBURT. 311
entered upon the pastoral charge in May, 1848. As a pastor
Mr. Perkins is most kindly remembered in the church. Always
courteo^^s and sympathetic, he has left behind him only sacred
and pleasant memories. His resignation was accepted March
7th, 18.52. During his pastorate the Baptist church at Mill
Plain was constituted, and nineteen persons were granted letters
to foiTu the new interest, which was duly recognized under the
name of the " Baptist Church of Mill Plain," by a council which
convened September 24th, 1851.
Rev. William S. Clapp was next called to the pastorate
by a unanimous vote of the church. The call, extended April
11th, 1852, was accepted the 16th of the same month, and his
interesting and prosperous pastorate was terminated by his res-
ignation on August 9th, 1857. He has now " gone up higher."
Rev. Henry K. Green was called to the charge of the church
October 3d, 1857, and soon afterward commenced his ministry
here. He resigned in February, 1859. From that time until
August, 1860, the church had no settled pastor. For several
weeks after the resignation of Mr. Green the church was sup-
plied by the Rev. O. W. Briggs, to whom a call was extended,
but declined. Rev. M. S. Riddell also received and declined a
similar invitation during the same period.
In the autxxnin of 1859 Rev. George M. Stone, then at Madison
University, spent four months with the church as a supply. At
the expiration of that time he received a unanimous call to
assume the duties of the jjastorate, but deeming it judicious to
enter upon a course of theological study, the call was declined.
In the summer of 1860 it was renewed and accepted, and Mr.
Stone entered upon the duties of the pastoral charge in August
of that year, and was ordained September 19th following. The
pastorate of Mr. Stone embraces a period of unusual interest, as
well to the church as to the nation. Four years of severe con-
flict for the restoration of the union of the States to their integ-
rity were experienced during that period. In the summer of
1860 extensive repairs and changes were made in the church
edifice. In July, 1866, through the generous efforts of a few of
the brethren, a new and beautiful organ was given to the church.
On account of ill-health which demanded a change of climate,
Mr. Stone tendered his final resignation in July, 1867, which was
reluctantly accepted by the church.
312 HISTORY OP DANBURY.
For a period of fifteen months the church was without a pas-
tor, during which time a call was extended to Rev. John Peddie,
and subsequently to Rev. Almon Barelle, of Brooklyn. These
invitations were, however, declined, and the church was depen-
dent upon supplies for preaching on the Sabbath.
At the covenant meeting held October 1st, 1868, it was voted
unanimously to extend a call to Rev. A. C. Hubbard, of the
First Baptist chiirch of Cincinnati, O. The call was accepted,
and Mr. Hubbard entered upon his labors November 15th, 1868.
For a time after the assumption of the j)astorate by Mr. Hubbard
the church was hampered by a debt amounting to about $6000,
which had been accumulating for several years. An effort made
to remove it met with success, and the church held a jubilee ser-
vice to celebrate the event. Improvements costing $5000 were
made to the church property during the first ten years of Mr.
Hubbard's j)astorate. In his tenth anniversary sermon he re-
ported that two hundred and seventy-two persons had been
added to the church, and that about $44,000 had been raised and
expended for all purposes.
In the year 1879 the Connecticut Baptist Convention held its
annual session with the church. The meetings were largely
attended, and were regarded as among the most inspiring and
helpful in the history of the body.
The second decade of the pastorate of Mr. Hubbard was
marked by a steady increase in membership and contributions
to benevolent objects. In the year 1888 he offered his resigna-
tion as pastor, but it was not accepted, and the relation has con-
tinued to the present time.
On April 14th, 1890, the church celebrated the one hundredth
anniversary of its constitution. Services of a highly interesting
nature were held ; memorial sermons were preached by Dr.
G. M. Stone, of Hartford, and by the pastor ; reminiscent ad-
dresses were made by old members, and letters of congratulation
from absent friends were read.
A short time after this inspiring service an effort was made to
secure subscriptions to a fund for the purpose of erecting a new
church edifice. On one Sunday $29,300 was subscribed. This
was increased by subsequent effort, until the available amount
was thought to be $40,000.
A building committee consisting of Henry Crofut, Charles
Ute^ -*: i
yjaa
r tju.
1 =
i^
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 313
Hull, J. Amsbury, F. J). Butler, A. G. Benedict, J. M. Bailey,
W. J. Anderson, E. S. Fairchild, William Beckerlie, and the
pastor, was appointed. It was decided to locate the new church
on the site on West Street occupied by the parsonage. Ground
was broken on March 31st, 1891, and the corner-stone was laid
with appropriate ceremonies on September 11th of the same year.
The purchase of land upon which to remove the parsonage
building, the cost of additional land for the church site, and of
the building itself with all of its furnishings, amounted to about
$112,000. The church is a handsome and commodious edifice of
Romanesque architecture, built of stone and brick, and provided
with all of the appointments for multifarious church work. It
was dedicated with impressive ceremonies on April 16th, 1893.
An interesting feature of this church is a soldiers' memorial
window contributed by the citizens of Danbury. It symbolizes
Reunion, Emancipation, and Peace. It was unveiled, with exer-
cises of a highly patriotic nature, on June 21st, 1893. General
Weissert, Commander-in-Chief of the National Grand Army of
the Republic, and other distinguished men were present and
contributed to the interest of the occasion.
The twenty-fifth anniversary of the settlement of the pastor
was suitably obsei'ved by the church. Since the occupancy of
the new edifice every department of the life and work of the
church has flourished. The Connecticut Baptist State Conven-
tion met again with the church in October, 1893. Many hearty
expressions of congratulation and prophecies of increased pros-
perity and usefulness were uttered by representative Baptists of
the State. It is the purpose and hope of the church that these
predictions may be realized in the future.
THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST.*
To write a complete history of this Church would necessitate
recording many of the leading events of one of the foremost
religious movements of the present century. The Church of the
Disciples in Danbury is one of the pioneer churches of a reforma-
tion beginning in the early part of this century, which has re-
sulted in the fifth Protestant religious body in the United States,
numerically considered. Perhaps only one organization in the
* Contributed by Rev. E. J. Teagarden.
314 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
whole brotherhood of the Disciples antedates the church in this
city. The Church takes a certain Just pride in the fact that it
has occupied this advanced and independent jjosition In a move-
ment of more rapid and permanent growth than any other Prot-
estant reformation. The last United States census credits the
Church of the Disciples with by far the largest percentage of
increase of any religious body in the country.
The four charter members of the Church in this city, Levi
Osborne and Uz Wildman with their wives, separated of their
own accoi'd fi'om what was known as White's Church. White's
Church was a branch of the Sandemanian Church, then an im-
portant religious factor in the community, numbering many of
the most prominent families as its adherents.
The separation of these four members occurred in the year 1817,
having its cause in a dispute concerning the ordinance of bap-
tism. The society insisted that an infant child in the family of
Mr. W'ildman should be presented at the church and be sprinkled,
in accordance with the custom of the Church. Mr. Wildman
insisted that there was neither scrii^tural authority nor example
for such a rite. He and Mr. Osborne held that only penitent
believers were proper subjects for Christian baptism, and that
there was but one scriptural mode of baptism — namely, immer-
sion. They believed that sects were sinful because contrary to
the prayer of Christ, the commands of the apostles, and the
whole letter and spirit of the New Testament. They held also
that all creeds of human formation should be rejected as authori-
tative or as terms of Christian fellowship.
Upon learning that a small band of Christians in New York
City conformed to these views, Mr. Osborne sought an interview
with them, which resulted in his baptism by Henry Errett, a
leader in the one church of Disciples which antedates the church
in Danbury. Returning to Danbury, Mr. Osborne immersed Mr.
Wildman and their wives. Mr. Osborne was appointed elder of
the church thus organized.
From this small beginning in 1817 the church has developed
through its seventy-eight years of history, and occupies to-day
a prominent position in the religious life of the community.
The families and descendants of these charter members have been
foremost in the life of the church during its whole history. Mr.
Osborne acted as presiding officer, and often as local preacher,
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 315
until his death in 1851. A memorial window in the front gallery
of the present church building was erected to his memory by his
daughter, Miss Lucy M. Osborne, who is now living, having
been a member of the society seventy-four years, or since 1821.
Miss Osborne has furnished much of the data and many of the
incidents for this historical sketch.
A grandson of Levi Osborne, the late Edward B. Osborne, held
a prominent position in the church from 1839 during the re-
mainder of his residence in Danbury, serving the church as local
preacher at least one year. Also Levi Osborne, Jr., another
grandson, served the church in many ways from 1844, until he
removed to New York State, where he became a regular preacher
among the Disciples. Of the relatives of Uz Wildman we may
mention Addison Judson, a son-in-law, who became a deacon in
the church in 1838 ; also Miss Hattie L. Judson, a great-grand-
daughter, who is at present a missionary in India, having gone
out from this church in 1892.
During the first two years of the life of the church the meet-
ings were held each Lord's Day at the home of Mr. Osborne,
situated on the corner of what are now Osborne and Summit
streets, but at that time far outside the borough limits. The
additions to their numbers during this first period of two years
were but five new members.
In 1819 Mr. Osborne fitted up a room for church purjaoses in
the loft of his weaver's shop, in the same yard with his house.
This room served as a place of meeting for twenty-one years.
During this second period fifty persons united with the church,
several of whom were leading spirits in its progress, and deserve
mention here. John Abbot, a native of England, held mem-
bership with them from 1819 until 1865, the date of his death.
His widow, Mrs. Harriet Abbot, still survives him, being one of
the oldest members of the church. Her wonderful memory has
made her a valuable help in reproducing this early history, since
the incomplete records of those early years have been lost sight
of. Mr. Abbot was a profound student of the Scriptures, assist-
ing very much in the restoration of apostolic doctrines and prac-
tices, upon which the church has ever insisted. He labored for
several years as local minister of the church.
Bethel Morris, who united in 1820, was prominent for many
years. His descendants have ever been leading members of the
816 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
society, a grandson, Edgar S. Morris, being an elder at the pres-
ent time. In the same year there united Starr Benedict, whose
son, Joseph Benedict, remains as a deacon of the church. Later
in this period John Benedict became a member and served for
a brief period as an elder, removing later to tlie State of Wis-
consin. The Benedicts were at that time prominent in the
cliurch, and their descendants have been leading spirits through-
out its life.
Thus passed twenty-three years, during which only occasional
visits were made to the church by ministers from other parts.
The religious body being in its infancy, there were as yet few
ordained preachers. This church, being the only one of its faith
in all New England, had to be satisfied without a regular min-
ister, the preaching and teaching being done largely by the faith-
ful and honored men whose names have been mentioned ; and,
indeed, if reports be true, it requu-ed much patient endurance
on the part of the younger portion of the congregation to sit
through the morning and afternoon service, and listen for an
hour to the reading and expounding, verse by verse, of a long
chapter. This was done by some good old brother, more hon-
ored for his zeal and devotion than for his " aptness to teach."
It is said of one very simple-minded but devoted brother, who
thought it his duty to use " his one talent" for the edification
of the brethren, that his speeches had just one highly appreci-
ated merit — namely, their brevity. He had a few favorite Scrip-
ture verses, after the reading of which he would invariably re-
mark, " It 'pears to me, brethren, that these verses are very
edifying, very fuU of comfort." To which the congregation
silently and gladly responded, " Amen." Yet it is a most re-
markable fact that almost all the children of these early fathers
of the church became active, lifelong members, when there was
so little to attract and hold them, except parental influence and
the godly, devoted lives of the leaders in the church. The first
break in this monotony of service occurred in 1837-38, when
Porter Thomas, a regular evangelist, labored with them for sev-
eral months, adding a number to their membership).
During these fonnative years the questions of church name,
polity, ordinances, and Life were constantly discussed. The
aim was to return in all things to New Testament ordinances
and practices. Their views were fonned independently of the
HISTORY OF DANBXJET. 317
so-called schools of theology, being based entirely upon the
Word of God. They deplored the existing divisions in the
Chnrch of Christ, believing that the unity for which the Lord
so earnestly prayed could be restored and preserved only by dis-
carding all human creeds, the inventions of men, and returning
to the Word of God as the sole rule of faith and practice.
It was not until the year 1827 that the brotherhood at large
became a distinct religious body, known as the Disciples of
Christ, or Christian Church ; but not until many years later did
the church in Danbury adopt the name Disciples of Christ.
During the periods mentioned they were kno^vn as Osbornites,
after the name of Mr. Osborne, who had been the presiding
ofBcer and leading spirit from the first. The church was consid-
ered very peculiar in some of its early teachings and practices,
it being at one time believed that they had a special Bible to
con-espond with their own peculiar doctrines ; but it is claimed
to this day that this was a false report, and that its origin was
on this wise : A venerable brother, more noted for piety than
for education, wished to purchase a Bible. He consulted with
the elder, who advised him to purchase the Polyglot Bible, it
being the most helpful then in use. When about to make the
purchase, finding that he had forgotten the name, he asked the
permission of the book dealer to take the Bible to Elder Osborne
before purchasing, that he might be sure he had the right kind
of a Bible. They claim that other false reports, which did them
much harm, were no better founded than this one.
The third period in the church's history opened in the year
1840, when they began to worship in a new house, erected by
them with much effort and many sacrifices. This new building
stood directly opposite the present site of the New England
Hotel, about where the electric-light tower now stands. It was
a convenient little meeting-house of one room, with a seating
capacity of about one hundred and fifty. The property upon
which it was erected was leased to them under the name, ' ' The
Refonned Christian Baptist Society." At that time the congre-
gation numbered less than fifty members. Their larger and
more centrally located home inspired them to renewed effort,
and their progress was consequently more marked.
Among the leading men of this third period may be mentioned
Martin H. Griffing, St., who united with the society in 1842.
318 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
Being a devout Christian and a man of means, he was for many
years a great spiritual and financial aid to the church. His chil-
dren, three of whom are now connected with, the society, have
contributed in many ways to the prosperity of the work.
Through their liberality the beautiful pipe-organ in the present
building was presented as a memorial to their beloved father.
Eli H. Mallory, who was not satisfied with the teachings and
practices of the church to which he belonged, cast his lot with
this church in 1843. Being a man of stern conviction and won-
derful logical powers, he was enabled to lead many persons into
the church, among whom were his own brothers, who have ever
been a spii-itual and financial power in the church. Ezra A.
Mallory, one of these brothers, is at present an elder in the
society. He has erected a memorial window in the church as a
tribute to the faithful service of the departed Eli H. Mallory.
In 1848 Charles Reed became a valuable addition to the small
struggling band of adherents to this simple faith. His name
also may be seen upon a memorial window in the present church.
This window was erected by his widow, Mrs. Eveline Reed, who
remains to the present as a faithful servant in the cause so dear
to the heart of her departed husband.
The Stevens family had been engaged in the work of the
church for many years, and in 1849 Lewis B. Stevens became a
member, soon being elected an elder. Several members and
descendants of his family are now connected with the churcli.
William H. Stevens, a brother of Lewis B., serves as chairman
of the present Board of Deacons.
In 1837 they called Dr. Francis Craig, of Kentucky, to preach
for them. He was a true Kentucky orator, and a man of exem-
plary life. The following year his labors were brought to a sud-
den close by his death. His remains were buried in Wooster
Cemetery, to be joined two years later by Mr. Levi Osborne,
whose death meant a great loss to those whom he had led for
thirty-four years. The church erected a plain marble stone to
mark the spot where their bodies rest. The vacancy caused by
the death of Dr. Craig was at once filled by calling J. I. Lowell
to labor as evangelist. Mr. Lowell ministered to them in word
and doctrine the greater part of the time for seven years.
The names of the many other faithful members of the church,
who were prominent in its early history, must be omitted from
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 319
this sketch, except the mere mention of Dr. E. F. Hendrick,
who united at a little later date, about 1861, and whose widow,
Mrs. Maria B. Hendrick, is one of the deaconesses of the church
at the present time.
In those early days the church had a fame for its strict em-
phasis of the duty of caring for the poor and afflicted members,
some even insisting that such dependent ones should always be
furnished with a home among the families of the church. Of
course this was not always possible, and that it was not always
done is seen from the following incident : An old sister was
blind and almost helpless. After being moved about from fam-
ily to family, that all might share in the duty of caring for her,
it was decided to secure her a permanent boarding-place. The
home of a Catholic lady was selected, where she had the best of
care. Being somewhat weak in mind, she at tii'st thought she
was in the home of one of her brethren. Later she became sus-
picioiis and questioned her hostess, who, not having any special
scruples in regard to the truth, assured her that she also belonged
to the White Street church. " Then why," asked the blind
invalid, " do not the brethren come oftener to visit us ?" The
hostess replied, " They do come, some of them are here every
day." And after that she frequently imitated the voices of the
members whom she knew, and would go in and shake hands,
making kindly inquiries as to her welfare. Thus, it is said, the
old lady was made contented and happy in the assurance of
Christian fellowship here, and in the hope of an eternal home
hereafter.
The fourth marked period of progress began in the year 1853
with the removal of the congregation from White Street to Lib-
erty Street, near Main, their present location. At a cost of $2000
the society purchased a house and lot from the Methodist
church, which had vacated it for larger quarters. At this time
the name " Osbornites" was dropped, the members insisting
upon being called simply "The Disciples of Christ." This
scriptural name was, with some hesitancy, applied to them by
the community, and by it they have been known ever since.
Although known as " The Disciples of Christ," the present prop-
erty is deeded to the society in the name of " The Church of
Christ." Great emphasis has ever been laid upon the name, it
being claimed that if the churches of Christendom ever unite, it
320 HISTORY OF DANBTJEY.
must be under a scriptural name, and not one of the names in-
vented by the religious sects. This accounts for the fact that
diflerent names, such as "Disciples," "Christians," "The
Church of Christ, " all of which are in the words of the New
Testament, have been in different places and at different times
applied to this church. In assuming these individual names —
"Disciples," or "Christians," and the collective names, "The
Church of Disciples" or "The Church of Christ" — they by no
means imply that the Church of Christ is found exclusively
within their borders ; but they recognize every consistent believer
everywhere as a member of Christ's Church, and plead for a
union of all Christians by a return to the principles and prac-
tices of the apostolic age, to the end that the world may be evan-
gelized. They agree with the great bodies of orthodox Chris-
tians in such fundamental subjects as the inspiration and author-
ity of the Scriptures, the divinity of Christ, the necessity and
efficacy of the atonement, regeneration by the Holy Spirit, the
necessity of holy living, and the reality of future rewards and
punishments.
The building purchased from the Methodists was remodelled,
the basement being fitted up for Sunday-school jiurposes. The
audience-room had a seating capacity of about three hundred.
The membership of the church was still below one hundred.
This more central location, together with the fact that ministers
had begun to be regularly employed, gave them advantages
which they had long desired to possess. The membership grew
steadily from year to year, and the Sunday-school was pros-
perous.
In 1864, near the close of the war period, some slight differences
led to a temporal division of the working forces of the church,
but in 1870 these differences were amicably adjusted, and all
have since worshipped together in harmony with vastly in-
creased success. The number of members in 1870 was 233. The
records show that since 1870 there have been 560 additions to the
church.
The most active period in the history of the church has been
during the past six years, in which time 325 members have united
with it. For many years the members had discussed the ques-
tion of a larger and more modern church building. On Lord's
Day morning, October 26th, 1890, an appeal was made to the
Col. Nathan Dibble.
■John Abbott.
Univeksalist Chuucu.
Disciples' Church.
r^TEPHEN Bates,
Levi Osborne.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 321
congregation, resulting in subscriptions amounting to $7500.
Tliis amount was increased by later pledges and donations, until
it reached near $12,000. Plans were at once adopted, and work
was begun on the new house. The old building was removed to
the rear of the lot on Liberty Street, and utilized as a lecture-
room, being connected with the new part by large sliding doors.
The whole was completed at a cost of $22,000. The building
was dedicated on January 31st, 1892, and there was raised, in
four-year pledges, a sufficient amount to almost cover the in-
debtedness incurred by the building committee.
The building is according to the latest plans of church archi-
tecture, and has all modern furnishings and conveniences. It is
considered a model church home in every respect. The audi-
torium has five hundred sittings, arranged upon a bowled floor in
semicircular form, converging toward the pulpit platform. On
the rear of the pulpit platform are situated the pipe-organ and
the choir gallery. By throwing open the doors to the lecture-
room the seating capacity is increased to eight hundred. The
building is a frame structiire, the outside being modelled after
the quaint architecture of the Netherlands during the Middle
Ages. Its very oddity makes it an ornament to the city.
This new and larger church home has given renewed life to
every branch of the work. The present membership of the
church is 540. The Sunday-school enrolls 450 scholars. The
Christian Endeavor Society has a membership of 125. The mis-
sionary societies and other organizations are in healthful and
flourishing condition. Two young men of the church, Charles C.
Waite and Charles Darsie, have lately prepared themselves for
the ministry, and are now preaching for churches in Ohio.
Others are preparing themselves for the ministry and for foreign
missionary work.
As nearly as can be ascertained, the following is a list of the
ministers who have served the church, and the date when each
was called by it : 1837, Porter Thomas ; 1841, A. G. Cummings ;
1842, Matthew S. Clapp and William Tichenor ; 1847, E. A.
Smith ; 1848, Dr. Francis M. Craig ; 1849, J. I. Lowell, Edward
B. Osborne, J. M. Yearnshaw, and W. A. Belding, for brief
periods each ; 1857, W. W. Eaton ; 1859, Theodore Brooks ;
1861, A. N. Gilbert ; 1864, J. A. Headington ; 1866, L. R. Gault ;
1867, W. L. Hayden ; 1871, W. R. Spindler ; 1873, W. B. Craig ;
322 HISTORY OF DANBUEY.
1875, J. L. Darsie ; 1880, M. J. Ferguson ; 1882, Levi Marshall
and T. D. Butler ; 1883, W. W. Carter ; 1884, S. B. Moore ;
1889, E. Jay Teagardeu, the present minister.
The following members have served as elders of the church :
Levi Osborne, John Benedict, Edward B. Osborne, Stan- Bene-
dict, John Abbott, Levi Osborne, Jr., Eli H. MaUory, Abel
Foote, Lewis B. Stevens, Ezra A. MaUory, and Edgar S. Morris,
the latter two serving in that capacity at present.
The present Board of Deacons consists of the following per-
sons : Joseph Benedict, William H. Young, Alexander A. Davis,
William H. Stevens, David Hawley, Bennett Turner, James E.
Peck, Frank L. Hatch, Samuel A. Davis, Elbridge Gerry, Theo-
dore Raymond, and Charles Elwell. The present Superintendent
of the Sunday-school is Foster F. Fuller.
It is thought that the Lord's Supper has been observed by
this church on every Lord's Day during its seventy-eight years
of history.
About eleven hundred persons have been converted by the
agency of this church in Danbury, all of whom have held mem-
bership with it for a longer or a shorter period of time.
The reformation, in which this church has held such an ad-
vanced position and played so important a part, has resulted in
about eight hundred thousand communicants in the brotherhood
of ' ' The Disciples' ' throughout the United States alone.
UNIVERSALIST CHUKCH.*
In September, 1807, the Rev. Hosea Ballou, before a congre-
gation gathered in the Court House, preached the first Univer-
salist sermon ever heard in Danbury. For some years after this
the Universalists were dependent upon chance ministers for all
they heard of their interpretation of the Gospel.
In 1822 a society was organized by twelve men whose names
were Ebenezer Nichols, William Patch, Miles Hoyt, Philo R.
White, Stephen Ambler, Zadock Stephens, Ira R. Wildman,
Thomas P. White, William Peck, Joel Taylor, Andrew Andrews,
and Stephen Gregory.
These twelve pioneers of the organization have aU passed on
* Contributed by Rev. James Vincent.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 323
to the larger life, and many others, who in after years joined
them in the work, have since joined them also in the other
country. Many of these were well-known citizens of Danbury.
One of them, known throughout the civilized world as a success-
ful business man, and known also as a generous giver of large
sums of money to Universalist institutions, made his home in a
neighboring city, and was loyal to the faith throughout a busy
life. This was Hon. P. T. Barnum, who for several years was
clerk of this society.
For more than a year after the organization there was no settled
minister, but in 1824 Rev. Thomas F. King, father of the bril-
liant and honored T. Starr King, became the pastor.
It will not be necessary to name the pastors who have led the
way through the intervening years. A number of them are
living, and some are prominent among the thinkers and workers
of the denomination. The longest jpastorate was that of Rev.
D. M. Hodge, who remained here working faithfully for ten
years.
Since the resignation of Rev. Mr. Hodge, in 1880, brief pastor-
ates have been held by Revs. A. J. Aubrey, Alonzo Chase, W. J.
Crosley, and E. A. Horton.
The experience of varying good and ill that has attended the
society has not been vrithout good results. It has developed
self-reliance and loyalty to an outspoken Christian belief. The
old-time persecutions have left no hurt. They were the outcome
of intense zeal, and at least a partial eclipse of understanding.
Universalists and all other Christians have advanced since
then, and the discoveries of science and the deeper study of the
nature of man have prepared all for a better understanding of
the kingdom of God in the world.
Attempts at ignoring the Christianity of the Universalist
Church there may be in unions for the enlarging of church in-
terest, but such attempts are small and will be outgroAvn when
those who make them realize that the hymns they sing, such as
" Nearer, my God, to Thee," " Watchman, Tell us of the Mght,"
"One Sweetly Solemn Thought," "In the Cross of Christ I
Glory, " are each and all the expressions of hearts that were de-
voted adherents of the Universalist faith. Such a church can
afford to be ignored or persecuted, but the great thinking, seek-
ing, waiting world of mankind cannot long afford to have it so.
324 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Its faith in God and human destiny is spreading in all churches
and outside all, and ere long credit will be given to whom credit
is due.
The first church edifice which the society erected occupied the
comer of Wooster and Main streets, and was dedicated Septem-
ber, 1833. This was afterward sold to the Roman Catholic
society, and is still in its possession. The church on Liberty
Street was then built and dedicated in the spring of 1852.
But once more the circumstances of the time, and the desire
of the society for larger opportunities of usefulness, called for
another change of location.
The project for a new Universalist church in Danbury had
been for some years working in the wishes and hopes of a num-
ber of the earnest adherents of that system of Christian belief.
The building on Liberty Street, where for years jjast they had
Avorshipped, was not adapted to the growing needs and oppor-
tunities of Universalism in these times, and in this growing city.
These people realized that here, as also in every other city and
village where the relationship of man to God and the question
of human duty and destiny enter into the common thought,
there was need of a house of worship that would fitly represent
an interpretation of Christianity that is outspoken in advocacy
of the fatherhood of God and the rights and obligations of man,
and that answers the questions and supplies the religious needs
of many who have earnestly sought for satisfaction in other
statements of faith, and have found it not.
This project began to take definite shape in the early summer
of 1891. ThriUed by the personal presence and enthusiasm of
Dr. J. H. Chapin, then President of the Connecticut Universal-
ist Convention, the Danbury Universalists resolved to rise and
build. The decisive step was taken when Joseph T. Bates, of
Danbury, and Mrs. Laura Scott, of Ridgefield, each subscribed
$5000. Other pledges followed, and the lot on upper Main
Street was purchased for $12,000.
Soon afterward the Rev. James Vincent became pastor of the
society. The contract for the building was given to the firm of
Foster Brothers, and all departments of the proposed work began
that forward movement, the outcome of which is already ap-
parent in the new church and the growing society which it
represents.
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 325
The dimensions of the building are sixty-four by ninety feet.
There is a substantial cellar wall, and numerous brick piers sup-
port the floor timbers. The ashler work of the granite founda-
tion is excellently done with stone of the best quality. The
walls are of North Haven brick, the belts, window-sills and caps,
voussoirs of arches, quoins, buttresses, offsets, shafts, bases and
caps of columns, all being of brown stone. The tower with spu'e
surmounted by a bronze finial is one hundred and twenty-flve
feet in height.
There are two ornamental i:)orches, one on the front of the
tower, the other on the south side of the building. The columns
of these are of turned brown stone. The main entrance is
through the tower on the southwest corner. The pulpit is
directly opposite in the northeast corner. The floor inclines
gently toward the pulpit. The ceiling is finished iu ash, while
the pews and other furnishings are all of quartered oak. Just
back of and a few inches higher than the puljjit platform is the
choir loft, in the rear of which is the beautiful new organ con-
structed by the Harrisons of New York. The windows give to
the interior a mellow amber tint that is pleasing and restful.
The large front window, with its simple but beautiful design, is
the gift of Cola S. and Miss Carrie B. Peck, as a memorial of
their father and mother, who for many years were devoted
workers in the church. The pulpit is given by Miss Tomlinson's
Sunday-school class as a memorial of A. A. Heath, another faith-
ful Universalis t, for a long time superintendent of the Sunday-
school. The communion-table is the gift of relatives and friends
in memory of one well and wide known and loved. Colonel
Nathan Dibble. There will also be a memorial to Lucy Scofield,
warmly cherished in the memory of many as one of the tried
and true.
Directly in the rear of the auditorium is the large Sunday-
school room, so connected by sliding doors that at any time it
can be made a part of it, thus aflJording seating capacity for
more than five hundred people.
The other entrance through the south porch leads to the Sun-
day-school room, to a parlor on the same floor, and also to a
broad staircase leading to a second floor, where there is another
parlor, a kitchen, and a large and attractive banquet hall fin-
ished in cypress wood, and having all the conveniences necessary
326 HISTOKY OF DANBURY.
for social gatherings, fairs, suppers, and any work or pleasure
tliat may justly accord with the life of a vigorous Christian
church. The entire building is heated by three furnaces, and
lighted with gas and electricity.
The Building Committee are Liiman L. Hubbell, Cola S. Peck,
Miles D. Washburn, Martin W. Foster, Joseph T. Bates, and the
Rev. James Vincent, pastor.
On Sunday, September 10th, 1893, with Rev. J. Smith Dodge,
D.D., as the preacher, this church was dedicated to the Father-
hood of God, the brotlierhood of the human race, the genuine
life of the Christlike religion, and a confident assurance of its
ultimate and complete triumph in the bringing of all manldnd
to the love of righteousness, thus saving them from ignorance
and loss, sin and sorrow, and making the life that now is and
that which is to come a blessing to the whole world.
With the completion of the new church the opportunity offered
itself and the necessary machinery was at hand for what may
be called a new era for Universalism in Danbury.
That opportunity has not been left unused, and the machinery
of the new structure has been made operative in developing the
social, doctrinal, and devotional life and influence of a church
thus dedicated to the worship of God and the welfare of man.
As the foundation of its faith is the Fatherhood of God, so the
method of its work is home and freedom, and its aim the culti-
vation of the thoughtful and reverent Christian mind.
Various departments are organized for special lines of effort,
all to concentrate upon the task of making life sacred, helpful,
and glad. Among these are the Society, the Church, the Sun-
day-school, the Ladies' Social, the Women's Mission Circle, the
Young People's Christian Union, and the Thursday Night Con-
ference.
One and a half years have passed since the beginning of this
new era. There have been no spasms of religious feeling, no
sensational methods, but steady, persistent work, the results of
which appear in the fact that the Sunday-school has doubled its
numbers, the ladies' membership multiplied by three, and the
congregation quadrupled in average attendance. The other inter-
ests of the church have also increased in value and efficiency,
and the oiitlook for the years to come is fuU of promise for
Universalism and the Universalists of Danbury.
HISTORY OF DAKBUBT. 327
ST. PETER'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.*
The first Catholic priest on the records of Danbury was the
Rev. Father Ryan, who came here in 1834. He was one of the
old-style and austere fathers, and labored indefatigably for the
establishment of his church in the town, but he was not destined
to see the full fruition of his labors, for he was called away ere
their accomplishment. He preached about in the houses, and
his parochial limits included New Milford, Bethel, Redding,
Ridgefield, Georgetown, and Newtown. He was followed in
1853 by the Rev. Father Smith, who succeeded in securing and
establishing a regular place of worship on the corner of Main
and Wooster streets, for those days a very comfortable place of
worship, and sufficiently ample for all purposes.
Father Smith's pastorate was comparatively short, and he was
succeeded by Father Kelly, who does not seem to have advanced
the interests of the church in any great degree, and who leaves no
record of any particular work. He was succeeded by the Rev.
Father Dray. This priest is well remembered by a great major-
ity of our Irish citizens, who were at that time young people.
He officiated at the marriages of a number of our most thriving
and influential citizens of Irish extraction, who have now flour-
ishing families in town.
He was followed by the Rev. Ambrose Manahan, a very learned
man, who possessed the title of D.D. He bought what has been
known as the old Catholic Church from the Second Congrega-
tional Society in 1863. Shortly after the purchase he added to
the building, and did much to further the interests of the church,
but was called to other work, and was succeeded by the well-
known Father Sheridan, after whom a street in Danbury is
named. Father Sheridan proved to be not only a progressive
man, but an energetic, and he commenced the building of the
present St. Peter's Church. It was at that time a gigantic under-
taking, but it had no fears for him, and after years of hard labor
in overcoming difficulties that seemed insurmountable, before
his removal from Danbury he had the pleasure of seeing the
roof placed on the present handsome structure. But to his suc-
cessor, Rev. John Quinn, was reserved the honor of completing
the work, and in January, 1876, the late Vicar-General Hughes
* Contributed by Rev. Father Lynch.
328 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
performed the rite of dedication. The remainder of the pastor-
ate of Father Quran is remembered as the time of a great agita-
tion of the total abstinence question, for which Father Quinn
was an able and earnest advocate. Under his hand the number
of members in the local temperance society swelled to hundreds ;
nearly all the young boys of the parish were enrolled in a society
of temperance cadets, and there was founded the temperance
band, afterward St. Peter's Band, out of which evolved the
present Danbury Band. After several years of zealous labor
Father Quinn was prostrated by a long and tedious sickness,
and as his recovery was slow, the bishop thought it prudent to
name Rev. M. R. Lawlor as Father Quinn' s successor.
We have said that to Father Quinn was reserved the honor of
finishing the church so as to hold service in it, and likewise to
Father Lawlor was reserved the honor of reducing to a minimum
sum the enormous debt which was on the church propeity when
he took charge. During his seven years in Danbury were built
and dedicated new churches in Bethel, Redding, Ridgefield, and
GeorgetowTi, and resident priests were stationed in Bethel and
Ridgefield.
After Father Lawlor came Father Thomas Lynch (deceased),
who purchased and fitted up St. Thomas' Convent and erected
the parochial school building. At first only eight rooms were
finished, but so great was the number of applicants the fii'st day,
that it was found necessary to complete the remaining four
rooms immediately. These rooms were hardly completed when
he was called to his reward.
In December, 1886, just ten years after the dedication of St.
Peter's Church, Rev. Henry J. Lynch, the present rectoi", was
appointed to succeed Father Thomas Lynch. The record of the
nine years during which the present incumbent has had charge
of the parish is the record of nine years of untiring labor, but
labor that has been most fruitful.
At the time Father Henry Lynch became rector the church
was incomplete, inasmuch that no spire adorned it, and the base-
ment was yet unfinished. The old cemetery had few if any suit-
able lots for sale, the school grounds were not only unsightly
but unhealthy, and the clergy were quartered in a house that
had for years broken down the health of its occupants. The
knowledge of these things, coupled with the fact that the church
UISTOBY OF DAKBURT. 329
debt had been greatly increased by the purchase of the convent
and building of the school, would have made even a stout heart
timid ; biit without stopping to judge of what may have been
the hopes and fears of the first months of Father Lynch' s pas-
torate, we shall now, after nine years have elapsed, examine the
result of his labors.
One of the first cares of the new pastor was to provide a suit-
able resting-place for the dead, and a beautiful spot, a few miles
from the city, was purchased for $5000, graded, divided into
sections, lots, etc., and shortly afterward consecrated. Next
came the building of the spire, which was a source of gratifica-
tion to many truly Catholic hearts ; but greater pleasure was
theirs when they heard the harmonious strains of the sixteen
bells placed in the tower. Then came what we may justly tenn
the rebuilding of the foundation of the church, which caused an
outlay of several thousand dollars ; and while all this was going
on, the sanitary condition of the school and its grounds had not
been neglected, and down underneath the surface hundreds of
dollars' worth of sewering was done, and what until this time
had been a swamp-hole now became a healthy, delightful play-
ground. At an outlay of thousands more the basement was fitted
up, so that the children could have a mass for themselves ; and
now every Sunday nearly nine hundred little ones bow before
the altar in the basement chapel.
Good works are sometimes recognized in this life, and the late
bishop, the lamented Rt. Rev. L. S. McMahon, was not blind to
the work done in Danbury, and in December, 1890, he granted
to the parish of Danbury all the rights and privileges of an irre-
movable rectorship, and named the then pastor. Rev. H. J.
Lynch, as fii'st permanent rector of Danbury.
Shortly after began the buUding of the beautiful parochial
residence fronting on Main Street, near the park.
The spiritual advance of Catholicism has kept pace with the
material side of the question. Societies have been formed, con-
fraternities and sodalities established to reclaim the one and pre-
serve the other. The Society of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
for the Conversion of Sinners has a membership of two thousand.
The devotion to the Sacred Hearts has become so popular that it
was found necessary to divide the communicants, part coming
the first Friday of the month, the remainder on the follow-
330 HISTORT OF DANBURT.
ing Sunday. Missions have been held yeai'ly, and many who
had wandered for years have returned to the fold. No less suc-
cessful has been the school. With an attendance of nearly eight
hundred and fifty pupils, trained by a thoroughly competent
corps of teachers, an education is imparted second to no element-
ary school in the State. During the eight or nine years' exist-
ence of the school not one of its pupils who had been authorized
to take the examination for admission to the High School has
been found deficient.
Such is a brief synopsis of the development of the Catholic
Church in Danbury. Like the mustard- seed spoken of in the
Gospel, the mere handful of Catholics of a few j^ears ago has
grown to embrace nearly six thousand souls, possessing a mag-
nificent church, a rectory second to none in New England, a
large school, a convent with about fifteen religious, and two
cemeteries, with a total value of a quarter of a million dollars.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.*
A church that should be a church home for people, irrespec-
tive of social position or wealth, was a leading motive in the
gathering in the basement of the First Church, May 20th, 1851.
With no brilliant prospects and no encouragement from the
older church, it was voted to try the experiment of a second Con-
gregational church. Mr. Horace Bull was the chaii-man of that
committee, and Henry Lobdell with L. C. Hoyt were appointed
to an-ange for a preacher and a place of meeting. Mr. William
C. Scofield, of Yale Seminary, was engaged to preach for eight
Sabbaths, and on Jiine 17th enough encouragement had been
received to warrant a vote to formally organize the new church,
which organization was recognized by the Fairfield East Conven-
tion on July 9th. The church thus instituted numbered twenty-
three, of whom twelve were men.
After worshipping in the building of the Universalist Society
for four months, meetings were held in the court-room over the
Town Hall, but May 6th, 1852, the young church dedicated its
own house of worship on Main Street, nearly opposite the pres-
ent Court House. It was built on leased ground, and after eleven
years it was sold to the Roman Catholic Church.
* Contributed by Rev. F. A. Hatch.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 331
The church was served by Mr. Scofield for three years, but he
was not ordained and installed until after the church was dedi-
cated. From 1854 to 1857 the church straggled hard to live, and
that it did survive was owing to the inflexible purpose of a few
of the members, and the patient help of Rev. E. S. Huntington,
who, while a teacher in the town, suppUed the pulpit for nearly
three years.
Following this critical period, brief service was given as pastor
by Rev. William Page and Rev. S. H. Howell. From March
26th, 1858, Rev. David Peck served as pastor until January,
1861. Following him Rev. Ezra D. Kenny supplied the pulpit for
three months, when Mr. James Robertson was invited to preach,
and December 20th he was formally invited to the pastorate. For
two years after he began work worship was sustained in Nichol's
Hall, corner Main and Liberty streets. With the absence of
some of her best men in the war, these years were crucial ; biit, as
is often the case, inspiration to new life was found in assuming
heavier burdens. In 1864 a beginning was made toward a new
building, and May 9th, 1865, the present brick edifice was dedi-
cated, the late Professor Roswell P. Hitchcock, of Union Semi-
nary, preaching the sermon. Soon after the church was dedi-
cated Mr. Robertson resigned, and Rev. Henry Powers became
pastor, remaining until January, 1869. He was liberal in the-
ology, but public-spirited, and the Town Farm and New Street
school building were acquired largely through his efforts. Fol-
lowing Mr. Powers was Rev. David Easton, who remained, with
an interval of a year, when Mr. C. A. G. Thurston acted as asso-
ciate pastor, until January, 1874. Mr. S. B. Hershey, of Yale
Seminary, was called, and became pastor in the fall of 1874, and
resigned in March, 1881. Rev. J. A. Freeman succeeded him,
serving until March, 1887 ; after him came Rev. C. \V. Morrow,
who was followed in 1893 by the present incumbent, Rev. F. A.
Hatch.
During the war, from a male membership of twenty-six, this
church sent ten volunteers to the front, most of them enlisting
in Company D, Seventh Connecticut Volunteers. Two found a
soldier's grave— viz., Louis C. Wygant, who died at Hilton Head,
S. C, August 4th, 1862, and was tenderly buried by another
member of this church, Frank P. Nash ; and David R. Shelton,
killed in the battle of Driirey's Bluff, Va., on May 16th, 1864.
332 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Memorial windows to these soldiers were placed in the front of
the church, with the large window which was contributed by the
Sunday-school.
The other windows have an interest which is partially histori-
cal and deserve mention. The renowned Rev. Frederick W.
Robertson, of Brighton, England, a relative of the pastor who
inspired much of the church-building zeal, is thus remembered.
So is the Rev. Henry Lobdell, M.D., a missionary who went out
from the church to Mosul, Turkey, dying there March 25th,
1855. George W. and Amelia Ives, Ezra M. Starr, and Horace
Bull, who died January 7th, 1857, are thus memorialized.
All the churches in town, except the Fii-st, contributed win-
dows, as did the Bethel Congregational church ; and the Eng-
lish, Irish, Scotch, German, and Canadian lineage of some of the
incumbents of the congregation was made a feature in other
windows.
The new organ, placed in position in October, 1894, when the
church was renovated on the inside, is a reminder if not a
memorial of the long-time deske of a leader of the choir for
twenty -five years, Mr. Nathaniel Barnum.
Three different periods of spiritual reinforcement of the church
have left their mark on its history. In 1858, when 39 were added
to its membership ; in 1876, when in six months 59 joined ; and
in 1894 65 were received.
During the pastorate of Mr. Easton in October, 1873, with the
co-operation of the churches of the State the church was freed
from debt. It has always been in a real sense a "people's
church," and financially it has generally been burdened, but
has remained true to the " free-pew" idea. From the outset it
has turned its back on artificial class distinctions. Its present
tendency is emphatically toward institutional methods, the pur-
pose to make the church, its appliances, and its fellowship an
every-day help, as contrasted with the idea of the religious club,
the criticism of sermons, or the cultiire of sectarianism.
To the usual organizations of the church it joins the especial
feature of promoting the interests of the young people through
its Young Ladies' Missionary Union, junior and senior Endeavor
societies, its Boys' Brigade and Girls' Phalanx, its Little
Workers, and King's Daughters.
Its present membership is nearly three hundred. But two of
West St. Congregational Church.
German Lutheran Church and Parson
E/.RA M. Starr.
HISTORY OK DANBURY. 333
the original members survive, Mrs. Joel G. Foster and Nathaniel
Barnum ; but their affection and zeal for the West Street Church
is a rich bequest from one generation to another.
GEEMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.*
Notwithstanding the fact that the Gennan population of Dan-
bury formed a by no means insignificant portion of the commu-
nity, prior to the year 1877 no attempts had been made by the
Germans to found a separate church organization. According
to data at hand the Germans, mostly Lutherans, were scattered
among the various local congregations, although often express-
ing a desire to worship in their mother tongue. It is true a Ger-
man Methodist mission had been established about 1876, but its
existence was of short duration. However, during the summer
of 1887 a number of German Lutheran families, who had formerly
belonged to a German Lutheran congregation in Rondout, N. Y.,
settled in Danbury. These families did not wish to affiliate with
any of the denominations then having church societies in Dan-
bury, and forwarded a petition to their fonner pastor, Rev. F.
Stutz, requesting him to visit them and establish a German
Lutheran mission. Rev. Stutz acceded to the desires of the
petitioners, and made a journey to Danbury, December 9th,
1877. After a service held in one of the members' houses a per-
manent mission station was established, to which about twenty
persons expressed a desire to join and to support.
This mission station was immediately taken charge of by the
New York Conference of the Synod of Missouri. About twenty
ministers constituted the conference at that time, and its presi-
dent, at the request of the members in Danbury, delegated one
of the clergymen to supply the pulpit. During the first months
of its existence the station flourished, and bi-weekly services
were held regularly at the residences of the various members.
Clergymen from New York, Brooklyn, Long Island, Paterson,
N. J., and other cities visited Danbury at frequent intervals.
The present pastor, W. A. Fischer, at that time a student in a
theological college, was also twice called upon to take charge of
the services. During four years, from 1877 to 1881, the mission
maintained its existence, sometimes prospering, sometimes,
* Contributed by Rev. W. A. Fischer.
334 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
through lack of interest and support, coming to a very precarious
condition. It, however, never ceased to lose its character as a
German mission station.
During the fall of 1880 a number of German emigrants were
attracted to Danbury by the success and prosperity of the hat-
ting industry. The majority of them were Lutherans, and as
they soon secured employment in the various hat factories, they
decided to remain here pemianeutly. The services of the mis-
sion were attended by a number of these new additions. Steps
were soon taken to form a church society, and to this end a con-
stitution and by-laws were adopted. Twenty-two adult males,
who constituted the voting members of the newly organized
society, signed these articles and designated themselves the Ger-
man Lutheran Immanuel Church U. A. C. (unaltered Augsburg
Confession) of Danbury, Conn. The organization of the society
and the adoption of articles occurred on January 23d, 1881.
The first President was Carl Marzioch, and the iirst Secretary
Fred. Schultz.
The new congregation immediately resolved to call a pastor to
the charge, and after a number of fruitless calls had been issued
the founders unanimously decided to tender a call to the present
pastor. Rev. W. A. Fischer. Rev. Fischer was at the time
stationed in New York City as assistant to Rev. J. H. Siekei",
pastor of St. Matthew's Church, corner of Broome and Elizabeth
streets. This church is the oldest Lutheran church in America,
and also one of the wealthiest and most influential. Rev. Fischer
accepted the call, and took charge of the pastorate on October
18th, 1881, the installation occurring the following Sunday,
October 23d.
Previous to the arrival of Rev. Fischer services had been held
in the houses of the various members, but the large increase in
the attendance soon necessitated more commodious quarters
being secured. A portion of what was then the Armory Hall,
corner of Main Street and Library Place, was rented, and ser-
vices were held regularly every Sunday. However, an ever-
increasing desire of the congregation, which was now rapidly
increasing in numbers and prosperity, to possess a house of wor-
ship of their own made itself felt more and more, and prelimi-
nary steps were taken to secure a permanent home. A building
committee was appointed, and Rev. Fischer empowered to solicit
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 335
subscriptions and to procure funds to purchase a site. The
members and a number of local public-spirited gentlemen con-
tributed generously to the funds, and in a short time sufficient
subscriptions had been made to enable the society to purchase a
biiilding lot on Foster Street near West, from the late F. S.
Wildman, the plot fronting one hundred feet on Foster Street
and extending one hundi-ed and seventy-two feet to the rear
adjoining the property of the Methodist Society.
During the period it was resolved to incorporate a parochial
school in connection with the society, and Mr. C. H. Wente was
called to assume the principalship. Quarters were secured on
Patch Street, and the school opened with eleven scholars en-
rolled on the register. It j)rospered from its inception, and con-
stantly increased its membership. During its existence it has
been an important factor in building uj) the congregation, it
being the channel through which the childi-en by their confirma-
tion enter the church.
On April 10th, 1882, a committee consisting of D. E. Loewe,
Adolf Holdeichel, and H. Orgelmann was appointed to confer
with local builders as to plans and specifications of a church,
the cost of which should be limited to $3000. Plans were pre-
pared by Foster Brothers and submitted to the Board of Trus-
tees. A number of contractors bid upon the proposed structure.
It was found, however, that the cost of the church according to
the plans would be far in excess of $3000, and therefore beyond
the means of the then small congregation. The latter, therefore,
decided to build a smaller building, which should serve tem-
porarily as a church and in which the daily school sessions could
be held. Foster Brothers received the contract, October 15th
being specified as the date of completion. On October 1st, 1882,
the dedication services were held. Professor Bohm, of New York,
assisting the local pastor in the exercises. The church property
was also enclosed, filled in to correspond with the street level,
and numerous other improvements followed in quick succession.
Friends in New York City presented a chapel organ and a com-
munion sei-vice, and several local parishioners also made substan-
tial gifts in fitting out the interior of the building. All these
donations were greatly apjireciated by the members, and they
felt greatly encouraged to persist in their ultimate desire to se-
cure an appropriate edifice for their worship.
336 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
The church society on April 1st, 1883, decided to affiliate with
one of the Lutheran synods, and it was unanimously agreed to
incorporate with the Grerman Lutheran Evangelical Synod of
Missouri, Ohio, and other States, that body representing most
faithfully the faith and doctrines of true Lixtheranism. Of this
synod it still forms a component part. In this same meeting the
congregation, which now numbered about fifty voting members,
voted to erect a church edifice and a parsonage, $4500 being
appropriated for the former and $2500 for the latter. Subscrip-
tion circulars were issued to all sister churches in the Eastern
District of the Synod of Missouri, and though they elicited a
generous response, the brunt of the final expenses was borne by
the local members. Plans and specifications for the proposed
buildings were submitted by Architect Osborne. The estimates
of the builders and contractors, however, were far in excess of
the sums appropriated, and the first church plan of 1882, with
extensive alterations, was finally adopted. During the month
of June, 1883, the foundation of the present church was laid.
The laying of the corner-stone occurred July 8th, the ceremony
being performed by the pastor, assisted by the Revs. J. H.
Sieker, of New York City, and Charles Frinke, of Staten Island.
A special excursion ti'ain was riin from New York, and a large
delegation of Lutherans from that city and from neighboring
towns attended the ceremony.
The building operations were pushed rapidly, and by January,
1884, the church was ready for occupancy. Rev. J. P. Beyer,
of Brooklyn, N. Y., President of the district synod, and Pro-
fessor E. Bohm, of New York City, assisted in the dedication
services, which were held January 13th. The edifice has a seat-
ing capacity of about three hundred, and the interior furnish-
ings, altar, pulpit, and fi'esco paintings are in accord with its
character as a Lutheran church. At the time of its erection, it
fully met the wants of the society, though in late years often
proving inadequate for the purposes of the growing congregation.
Possessing now a house of worship which was in every respect
adapted to its needs, the young church society made rapid prog-
ress. In a meeting of the Vestry Board, July 5th, 1885, a reso-
lution was passed empowering the trustees to advertise for bids
for a parsonage that was to be erected for the pastor. Mr.
E. Kopp, of Newark, N. J., was awarded the contract, and
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 337
ground was broken for Kev. Fischer's new residence on July
13th, 1885. On November 1st the building had arrived at such
a state of completion that the pastor was enabled to take up his
residence therein. A bam and sheds were also buUt in the rear
of the church property.
During the following years no change of importance occurred
until January, 1888, when the principal of the school, Mr. Gr. H.
Wente, met with a severe accident which permanently incapaci-
tated him from discharging his duties in the school-room. Rev.
Fischer thereupon assumed charge of the school, and though
every effort was made to provide a successor to Mr. Wente, it
was not until September, 1889, that a teacher was secured in the
person of Albert H. Miller, who was called direct from the Addi-
son Normal College, Illinois. The school at the time consisted
of fifty-eight pupils, but during the following year such large
accessions were made that in the spring of 1890 it was deemed
necessary to build an addition to the school-house. During the
vacation months F. S. Olmstead erected a large L, and the seat-
ing capacity of the school was thereby increased to one hundred
and forty. Furnaces, ventilators, etc., were added, and the
school property underwent general repairs.
During late years no important events are chronicled. The
church has continued to flourish, and has grown from an insig-
nificant beginning to large proportions. The number of mem-
bers at present is three hundred and seventy-six, of whom sev-
enty-six are voting members. The church society was incorpo-
rated under the laws of Connecticut in 1887.
Rev. Fischer has been in charge of the parish since its organi-
zation, and has during his pastorate officiated at 114 marriages,
464 baptisms, 136 funerals. He has also confinued 160 persons.
The present officers of the society are : D. E. Loewe, Presi-
dent ; C. Muetschele, Treasurer ; Albert H. Miller, Clerk ; W. T.
Strasser, Financial Secretary ; Martin Fuchs and William Stolle,
Sr., Elders ; M. Lauf, A. Gerstenmaier, M. Heinzelmann and
A. Pentermann, Deacons ; D. E. Loewe, C. Muetschele, W. T.
Strasser, S. Lang, S. Procopy, C. Baur, and H. Schriefer, Trus-
tees. Rev. William A. Fischer, Pastor ; Albert H. MUler, Prin-
cipal of School ; Miss Emma Stolle, Assistant.
CHAPTER XXXV.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
The first public schools in Danbury were started soon after
the incorporation of the town, but of them we have no record
until a later date.
In 1763 Comfort Starr left £800 for the support of a perjsetual
school in the centre of the town, to be under the direction of the
selectmen and civil authority, according to the following clause
in his will, of date May 12th :
" Item. I give and bequeath the sum of Eight Hundi-ed
Pounds money out of my estate to and for the use of a Publick
Scool to be kept in the first or old Society in Danbury to be Paid
to a Committee within two years next after my Decease to be
appointed by the s'' Town of Danbury for that purpose and to
be by the s* Committee for the Time being and their successors
in said office under the Direction and Inspection of the Civil
authority and Select men of s"* Town of Danbury for the Time
being Improved for the only use and benefitt of one Certain
Scool in Such Part of the s"* Society as they shall think Proper
to Effix the s** Seal to be Constantly kept by a Learned and Skil-
full Scoolmaster well able to instruct children and youth in the
various branches of Good Literature and in the English, Greek
and Lattain Languages and in vulgar arithmetick and to be paid
his wages out of the Interest of the s'* Eight Hundred Pounds by
the s'' Committee and if there should be more than sufficient to
Defray the wages of such Scoolmaster at any Time of the Inter-
est of s** money as aforesaid then and in that case my WiU is that
the said over Plus shall improved towards Building and Repair-
ing the Scool House in which s"* Scool shall be kept and my Will
is still further that only the Interest of s"* Eight Hundred Pounds
be improved for the Purpose afores'^ and that the Princaple be
always Kept Good and that the Interest thereof be Improved for
the only use afores** In manner afores"* for Ever : Provided
HISTORY OF DANBURy. 339
always that in Case the said Town of Danbury fail or Neglect to
Improve the Same for the purpose afores'' at any Time or Times
(unless out of pure necessity it so happen at any Time that such
master as afores** for a short space of Time cannot be had and
obtained or be reasonably absent) then and in case of such
Neglect the s** Legasey shall be wholly and absolutely forfeited
to my Natural Heirs in Lawfull Perportion to be Devided be-
tween them and to be to them and their heirs for Ever : And
furthermore I do hereby fully Impower my s"* Executors to make
sail of any of my Lands not herein Expressly bequeathed for the
Payment of any of my Debts or any of the Legasies mentioned
in this my last Will and Testament."
The executors were his " wife Hannah,* Captaui John Starr,
and Daniel Starr, all of Danbury." The witnesses were Deacon
Joseph Peck, Thaddeus Benedict, and Eli Mygatt. This was
called the school of liigher order, and was first held in a small
building in the rear of the present jaU. After a few years this
buUding was taken down and a new one erected on the opposite
comer, which was known as the Danbury Academy, and existed
until 1867.
At an adjourned meeting of the First Society in Danbury, held
on January 6th, 1769, " the Committee appointed to Devide the
several Districts in the Society for Schools make Report to tliis
meeting in the words following, viz. —
" To the first Society in Banbury
" Gentlemen :
" We the Subscribers being appointed by you a Committee to
Devide said Society into proper Districts for Schools and make
Report to this meeting would now ask Leave to Inform you
that our oppinion is as follows, viz : —
" 1st. That the Inhabitants Living Eastward of a Line Drawn
from the Parting of the Paths on the west side of Cramberry
bridge Northerly to the Parting of the Paths at Long Hill and
those Living Easterly or Southerly of the Road which Leads
from Long HUl towards Great Plain till it comes where Great
Plain Road Leaves Stadley Ruff Road and from thence those
who Live on Each Side of the Highway that Goes by Abrm.
Benedict's to Daniel Gregorys and So on to Nubury Line Includ-
* Daughter of Rev. Seth Shove.
340 HISTOKY OF DANBUKY.
ing all those who Live Southerly of Said Road and westerly or
northerly of the River from Said Crambiiry bridge to Newbury
Line be one District for a School and be Known by the Name of
beaver Brook District.
" 2.1y. That all the Inhabitants (not included in bever brook
School,) Living northerly and Easterly of a Line Runing west-
erly from the Parting of the Paths at Long Hill a Cross Tamarack
till it Comes where the Road that Goes to Jonathan Hayses
Leves Pembrook Road then Runing in the highway that Goes
to said Hayes (including what Inhabitants may live on Either
Side of sd. Highway) till it comes where the Path Turn East-
erly : from thence northerly to the Neversinck Boggs and so on
to New fairfield Line be one District for a School and be Called
Great Plain District.
" 3.1y. That the Inhabitants living noitherly and easterly of a
line Runing from the Parting of the Paths at North medow
South westerly to the Stoney Gutter Near Timothy Fosters Barn
from thence west to Clapoard Ridge Road and in that Road
northerly to the Parting of the Paths from thence to the Saw
mill & then Northerly as the Sawmill Brook runs through Mr.
Linsleys Fann Keeping the easterly branch to New Fairfield
Line be one District for a School and be called Pembroke Dis-
trict.
" 4ly. — That the Inhabitants living Northerly and Easterly of
a Line beginning at the Parting of the Paths above Leiut. David
Hoyts and Runing westerly till it comes into the Road Just
below Ebenr. Pickits Junr. House then Keeping the Road by
Matthew Boughtons House to Francis Boughtons Land from
thence Runing on the north Side of Samuel Benedict to Ridge-
field Line be one District for a School and be called King Street
District —
" 51y. That the Inhabitants Living Easterly and northerly of
a Line begining at the Parting of the Paths at Seth Graund
and Runing Southerly to Chestnut Ridge near Scuppo then
Runing westerly in Scuppo Road to Ridgefield Line be a Dis-
trict for a School and called the Boggs District
" 61y. — That the Inhabitants Living westerly and northerly of
a Line beginning where the Boggs Line Crosses the Road at
Chusnut Ridge mountain and Runing Southerly in sd. Road till
it Comes to the Bend of ye Road near Capt. Starrs Land at
HISTOET OF DANBURY. 341
Stadley Ridge and from thence Riming Southerly by the East
Side of Comfort Shoves Farm to Fish wear River and then fol-
lowing the River to mill Plain Pond be one District and Known
by the name of mill Plain District.
" 7ly.— That the Inhabitants living westerly and Northerly of
a Line beginning at Fish wear River where mill Plain Line
Comes to the River and Rnning Southerly to the Heights of
Thomas mountain from thence westerly to the Height of moses
mountain from thence westerly to the Height of Spruse moun-
tain and from thence westerly to Ridgbury Line be one District
or a School and be called myrey brook District.
" S.ly. That the Inhabitants Living Southerly of a Line Drawn
Heighth of Toms mountain and from thence to the Height of
Spruse mountain near Capt. Taylors field be one District and
called Starrs Plain or Long Ridge District.
" 9.1y. — That the Inhabitants living to the Eastward of Cram-
bury River begining at James Benedicts mill and Runing to
newbury Line and northerly of a Line Runing from said mill
Easterly to the Height of Shelter rock Hill and from thence
Keeping the Height of the Hill to Bethel Line be a District for
a School and called Stoney Hill District, and that all the Rest
of the Inhabitants not Included in any of the foregoing Discribed
Limits be Equally Devided into Two Districts and be Known
the one by the name of the Down Town District and the other
by the name of the up Town District all which is humbly sub-
mitted to the Consideration of the Society by their most obidient
Humble Servants
" Joseph Piatt Cooke.
Silas Hamilton. Comfort
Hoyt. Com tee."
At the same meeting the Society by vote appointed the follow-
ing committeemen for the school districts : Captain Comfort
Hoyt, Down-town School ; Matthew Benedict, Up-town School ;
John Starr, Jr., Beaver Brook School ; Elisha Dibble, Great
Plain School ; Noah Hoyt, Pembroke School ; Matthew Linsley,
Jr., King Street School ; Nathaniel Gregory, Jr., Boggs School ;
Peter Castle, Mill Plain School ; Daniel Benedict, Jr., Myrey
Brook School ; Samuel Wood, Stan-s Plain or Long Ridge
School.
342 HISTORY OF DANBUEY.
At a meeting of the First Society " held by adjournment on
the 16th. day of Febniary A D. 1791, the Comtee, appointed at
the last Meeting to divide the Town plot into School districts
made the following report, viz : —
" D ANBURY, Feb. 14th, 1791.
" To the first Society in Danhury
" Gentlemen :
' ' We the Subscribers being by you appointed a Comtee. to
Divide the Town plot in sd. Society into three Districts for the
purpose of Schools and to make report to this meeting would
beg leave to inform you that our Opinion is as follows (viz :)
That the Inhabitants living Northerly of a line beginning at the
parting of the Paths between the Bogs and Mill Plain Districts
from thence ranning Easterly across Gallows hill with the road
or highway south of Pumkin Ground continueing East with
said road across the Town street to barren plain bridge from
thence to Benjm. Coziars dwelling House south of sd. house
from thence northeasterly to the south end of Hayes hill shall
be the Northern District —
" That the Inhabitants living Southward of a line drawn from
the parting of the Paths a little west of Caleb Benedicts to the
Court House from thence in the road through the burying ground
over Deer Hill to blind brook & from thence to Thos. Moun-
tain be the Southern district & that the Inhabitants living
between the above described lines be the middle district, aU
which is respectfully submitted by your Humble Servts.
" Comfort Hoyt, Junr. 1
Caleb Starr. \ Comtee."
Justus Barnum I
A meeting of the First Society, held January 14th, 1793, voted
" that the district of King Street be divided into two by a line
Drawn from New Fairfield line at the Northeast corner of Elna-
than Knaps land South East to the first Nole (so called) taking
the House where Capt. Nathl. Barnum now lives into the west
part, sd. districts to be Known one by the name of the west
Kingstreet district & the other by East Kingstreet district and
to be under the Same regulations as other School districts in the
Society."
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 343
Abijah Barnum appointed committeeman for West King Street.
Before the beginning of this century Miss Lawrence had here
a boarding and day school for young ladies.
In an issue of the Farmer'' s Journal of 1791 we find the fol-
lowing advertisement :
" A School
Win be opened in Danbary by the Subscriber, near the bridge
on Monday the 23d instant May, to continue three months con-
sisting of thirty scholars each to pay for the time he comes his
proportion of nine pounds, lawful money, the one half in cash
or grain at the market price, by the first day of December next
ensuing, and the other half in any kind of mechanics or farmer's
labor in the present season. The following branches are taught
in said school, viz : — Spelling, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.
For further particixlars and entrance apply to
" Ezra Barnum.
"P.S. All jiersons who have accounts open with the sub-
scriber of more than six months standing are requested to settle
the same without further notice.
" N.B. A boy or girl under ten years of age may be boarded
at three shillings per week, if the pay may be depended upon.
" Ezra Barnum.
" Danbury, May 16th, 1791."
Later on Deacon Thomas Tucker taught a school in the present
homestead of Mrs. George W. Ives, on Main Street.
In 1812 there were three districts in the centre of the town —
viz.: North Centre, Middle Centre, and South Centre. The
North Centre School was on the place of the late Eli T. Hoyt, on
Main Street, but was afterward removed to Franklin Street.
The Middle Centre was on West Street, a short distance from
Main, and the South Centre remains to-day in its first location.
About 1813 Reuben Booth taught a school in a small buUding
near the homestead of the late Charles Stan". His successor
was Elias Stan".
October 16th, 1827, we find in the Danbury Recorder an adver-
tisement of Miss H. Sears' seminary for young ladies, in which
we are told that " No pains will be spared on the part of the
Instructress. — Fire wood extra !"
344 HISTORY OP DANBURY.
March 17th, 1829, Miss Eliza C. Starr advertises the reopening
of her school for misses, and Elias Starr advertises his select
school to open April 1st.
The summer session of the Danbury Academy in 1829 was
under the charge of Charles C. Darling, a graduate of Yale, and
for the winter term Piatt T. Holley, also of Yale, was princijial .
In 1830 an exhibition of the Infant School was given in Mr.
Rood's church, under the charge of the following committee :
Moss White, E. S. Sanford, John Rider, John Fry, Eli T. Iloyt,
Reuben Booth, Ephraim Gregory. At this time Miss Ely was
the teacher of this school, and she was succeeded by Miss Sarah
H. Wilcox, now the venerated Mrs. George W. Ives.
In April, 1830, Miss S. A. Gregory had a seminary for young
ladies " a few rods North of the Meeting House in Danbury."
In the issue of the Danbury Times of April 17th, 1839, Miss
E. G. Bull advertises the opening of a school on Monday, April
22d. The same paper contains an advertisement of R. Wilson's
Writing Academy, first door south of the Court House ; and
of a lecture to be given by Rev. Mr. Cook, on the subject of
"Common Schools," at the lecture-room of the Presbyterian
church.
October 2d, 1840, is advertised the Danbury Academy and
Young Ladies' Seminary, where are to be "taught all the
branches of a thorough English, Mathematical and Classical
Education, Young Ladies received into the family of the Prin-
cipal, and efforts made to cultivate intellectual, social and moral
powers, and every qualification by which they may become more
useful and accomplished members of Society.
" Rev. J. W. Irwin,
" Principal of Male Department.
" Mrs. R. R. Irwin,
" Principal of Female Department."
The issue of the Times of December 3d, 1840, contains the fol-
lowing : " The Teachers of the District Schools of the First
School Society are invited to meet the Board of School Visitors
at the Middle District School House on Friday, December 11th,
for the purpose of more effectually co-operating in the improve-
ment of Common Schools. "
In 1842 James H. Rogers advertises " Instruction in Book-
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 345
keeping and on the Flute." A happy combination of the useful
and ornamental.
About this time appears also a flaming advertisement of the
Lancasterian Institute in New Fairfield, with Jesse Peck as prin-
cipal. This was a flourishing school for several years, largely
patronized by New York people.
In 1842 Mr. John Sherwood had a seminary on Deer Hill,
conducted with much success.
One of the best known of the teachers of Danbury was Miss
Mary Biill, who began teaching early in life, and continued it
until the time of her death. In 1843 she taught an infant
school in the basement of the Methodist church, on Liberty
Street, which afterward was removed to an upper room in
her father's house on Main Street. Later on she fitted up a
building at the foot of " the lane" (now Centre Street), and
conducted here for many years a flourishing and successful
school.
Miss Bull was far ahead of the times in her methods and man-
ner of teaching, having much of the kindergarten style, although
on limited lines. The hours for study and recitation were
divided into half hours, with a " whispering recess" between of
three minutes, and by judicious arrangement the tasks of each
day were made varied and interesting. Singing, calisthenics,
and phonography were included in the list of studies. There
are gray-haired men and women of to-day who look back to the
years passed in the old school-house with pleasant remem-
brance, and cherish with grateful affection the memory of that
kind and faithful teacher.
January 3d, 1844, Ira Morse advertises " commencing a writing
school at the Centre District School House."
In September, 1845, " Rev. John W. Ii-win having resigned
his connexion with the Male Academy, and erected a large new
building will devote his time to those who board in his family."
Number of pupils was limited to twenty-five. This was also a
young ladies' institute, with Mrs. R. R. Irwin as principal of that
department.
In October, 1845, " Mr. L. C. Hoyt proposes to open a school
in the South East Basement Room of the Methodist Church for
the instruction of boys in all the branches of the English lan-
guage commonly taught in schools."
346 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
At the same time ' ' Miss Martha White will open a school for
Misses in the Basement of the Methodist Church."
On April 8th, 1846, "Miss Mary Bull's school, in connection
with another private school in this vOlage will be examined at
the Court House." Miss Bull also advertises to commence her
" Summer term on Monday, May 4th, with tuition for those
under twelve, $2. per quarter, over twelve, $3. Instruction
upon Piano. Deductions made for absence on account of sick-
ness, but in no other case without previous agreement."
The same issue contains the following :
" Summer Session of the Danbury Academy will commence
Monday, May 4th. and contimae twenty-two weeks.
" Benedict Starr."
In 1846 a select school was taught by W. Pickett.
In 1850 the institute of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin passed into the
hands of the Rev. Henry Lobdell, who sold it in the autumn of
1851 to Rev. Elias S. Schenck. Mr. LobdeU went as missionary
to Mosul, where he died March 25th, 1855. Mr. Schenck con-
ducted a military school until about 1859, when he removed to
New Jersey. Many of those who were pupils during the suc-
cessful years of this institute under the various principals are
dead, some are prominent business men among American mil-
lionaires, others are gray-haired clergymen, lawyers, and physi-
cians who have well earned the respect and position which they
hold. Among the clergymen we note the Rev. Francis Lobdell,
D.D., LL.D., lately appointed venerable archdeacon of Ms dio-
cese. He was born in Danbury in March, 1835 ; graduated from
Amherst in 1858 ; studied theology at Union Theological Semi-
nary, and after a short pastorate in the Congregational Church,
was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in Ohio. Rector
of the Church of the Advent in Cincinnati from 1865 to 1869 ;
rector of St. Paul's Church, New Haven, Conn., from 1869 to
1879 ; rector of St. Andrew's, New York, from 1879 to 1887, when
he became rector of Trinity Church, Buffalo, N. Y. Dr. Lobdell
received the degree of D.D. from Hobart College in 1881, and
LL.D. from the same college in 1894.
Starr Hoyt Nichols, the oldest son of David Philip Nichols,
was born in November, 1834 ; graduated at Yale College in 1854 ;
travelled in Europe for a couple of years, and returning entered
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 347
the Congregational ministry in 1860. Always of delicate health,
he still made a striking impression as a preacher during the six
years of his ministry. Being, however, laid on the shelf from
ill health, he devoted his leisure to letters, and published a poem,
entitled " Monte Rosa," in the year 1881, which received great
praise from the critics. It was perhaps too serious to become
popular, and too much occupied with nature to excite enthusi-
asm, but it had wide scope and appealed to a select audience
with great force.
The following extracts from this poem, descriptive of the deep
foundation of Monte Rosa, its grandeur, and a glorious sunset
crowning its summit, will be found enjoyable reading :
" Beneath, the ponderous mountain-pillar sinks
Its shaft and adamantine strength far down
Beyond the glimpse of ever-prying sun,
Night- piercing moon, or eye of watchful star,
Beyond discovered reaches of the mine.
Beyond the oozy gorge of ocean's floor,
To Pluto's murky cave and realm of fear ;
Where prisoned earthquakes shake their hideous bars.
And young volcanoes bubble gruesomely :
There rests the Mount, its vast foundations braced
On that colossal arch whose soaring span
O'ervaults the muttering lakes of central fire.
The flux and fume of windless inner seas
And molten bays still vexed incessantly.
" Italian skies of deep untroubled blue
Thrice-dyed bind close their sapphire coronet
To Monte Rosa's alabaster brow.
The climates, runaways from guardian months.
Race up and down her sides capriciously
Like truant children whiling out the time.
The gypsy clouds a-loitering 'mid the hills,
Strolling adventurers from the teeming sea.
Rehearse their shows before her and discourse
Their evanescent pomp to her eternity ;
Now pitch their roving tents on her large slopes.
Now flutter arrowy streamers from her tip —
Pennons of coasting tempests still mast-down
The low horizon ; now storm-turbans furl
About her brow ; then lifting climb the cope
Of careless heaven to jeer her envious heights
With higher cliffs of fog ; or drooping low
In long pavilions stretch their lazy folds,
Soft canopies above her lily head,
348 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
"Neath which she seems to lie reclined at ease,
Some stately daughter to a sceptred king,
Head leaned on hand in summer indolence.
And large fair limbs outstretched at length half-clad,
Half-bare, while lights and shadows changefully.
Like furtive smiles from sleepy eyelids shed,
Play o'er her fields of snow and reveries faint
Steal through her thoughtful heart in silentness ;
Heedless as love of time and what time brings.
And pure as Dian walking heaven alone.
*******
" Pensive as fabled fields of asphodel
Lay all the primrose upland faint with sleep ;
A garden of Hesperides whose close
The gold-haired daughters of the kingly Sun
Kept carefully where fear, nor night, nor death
Could come, nor winter fall for all its snows ;
But where the palm might lift its plumy fronds,
The peacock burn, the slim gazelles find rest
And all rare things the gleaming hollows hold.
" When sank the sun and saflron grew to pink
Upon the flushing snow, till spire and dome
And every silver valley filled with fire ;
And like a heavenly rose upon the sky
The well named Rosa blossomed full and large,
And flung her blushes to the eastern clouds.
Above the ashen earth and strewed the heavens
With more than countless roses' loveliness."
Of a later generation is James Clarence Harvey, one of whose
poems we give below :
IMPERFECTUS.
" I wonder if ever a song was sung.
But the singer's heart sang sweeter !
I wonder if ever a rhyme was rung.
But the thought surpassed the metre !
I wonder if ever a sculptor wrought
Till the cold stone echoed his ardent thought I
Or if ever a painter, with light and shade.
The dream of his inmost heart portrayed I
" I wonder if ever a rose was found.
And there might not be a fairer 1
Or if ever a glittering gem was ground.
And we dreamed not of a rarer !
AJh ! never on earth do we find the best.
But it waits for us in a Land of Rest,
And a perfect thing we shall never behold
Till we pass the portals of shining gold !
HISTOEY OF DANBUEY. 349
" I wonder if under the grass-grown sod
The weary, human heart finds rest !
If the soul, with its woes, when it flies to God,
Leaves all its pain in the earth's cold breast !
Or whether we feel as we do today.
That joy holds sorrow in hand alway !
" I wonder if after the kiss of death,
The love that was sweet in days of yore
Departs with the last faint, fleeting breath.
Or deeper grows than ever before !
I wonder if, there in the Great Unknown,
Fond hearts grow weary when left alone !
" I think of the daily life I lead.
Its broken dreams and its fitful starts.
The hopeless hunger, the heart's sore need,
The joy that gladdens, the wrong that parts.
And wonder whether the coming years
Will bring contentment, or toil and tears."
Rev. Robert Graham Hinsdale, although not a native of Dan-
bury, was resident here for some little time, and after successful
years of ministry in various churches became President of
Hobart College, in Geneva, N. Y. He died some years since in
Georgia.
The old school building on Wooster Street is now a tenement-
house, and there lingers about it not even a trace of its former
glory, while its founders, Mr. and Mrs. Irwin, sleep quietly in
the burial-ground " just over the way" from their old home of
so many years ago.
Miss Price kept a select school for some little time in a room
on the second floor of what was known as the " yellow mUl,''
just above the bridge.
Miss Perkins also had a school in the old Sands Perkins house
just north of the then residence of N. Hibbard Wildman.
In 1850, the boarding and day school for young ladies, of Mrs.
William Sherwood, was in successful operation on Deer Hill
Avenue, just below West Street.
May 1st, 1850, the Misses Meeker advertise a select school at
their residence.
The winter term of the Danbury Academy in 1850 was opened
with Nathan M. Belden as principal. The summer term of 1851
had as principal George W. Burr, and the winter term of the
same year began under the charge of Frederick S. Lyon.
3.50 HISTORY OF DANBTJRT.
From 1850 to 1857 Rev. Mr. Huntington conducted a boarding
and day school on Deer Hill, a little distance south of Wooster
Street. Mr. Huntington died in 1862. On Deer Hill was also
the seminary of the Rev. I. Leander Townsend.
In 1853 Miss Augusta Hoyt had " a school for Young Misses
In the building next South of the Baptist Church," on Main
Street.
In 1854 Miss M. E. Barnum conducted a " Private School in
Basement of Methodist Church ;" and the Misses Frances and
Harriet Griswold opened a " New Select School in the Methodist
Parsonage."
In the autumn of 1855 E. J. Patrick was principal of the Dan-
bury Academy.
In 1859 Mr. F. J. Jackson had an English and classical school
in the Turner House building ; this he converted into a military
institute and removed to Deer Hill Avenue.
In October, 1863, Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock advertise "a school
in the former residence and locality of the successful school of
Rev. Mr. Irwin." This school was afterward removed to Deer
Hill.
Rose Hill Seminary, under the charge of Mrs. G. H. White,
was another flourishing institution of learning.
In 1850 Mr. Henry C. Ryder opened the Middle Centre Dis-
trict School on Liberty Street. He was superseded by Mr. Guion
as principal ; following Mr. Guion was Mr. Fayerweather, who
resigned in 1859, to be succeeded by Mr. Dowd, who retained
the position until 1864, when Mr. Nathan C. Pond was appointed
in his place.
In 1863 the North Centre and Middle Centre districts were
united under the name of Centre District, for the purpose of
establishing and building a graded school large enough and in a
suitable location for both districts. In 1864 a lot was purchased
from the G. W. Ives estate fronting on New Street for the pro-
posed building, which was not begun until the spring of 1867.
Meanwhile an addition had been made to the Liberty Street
School with a system of gradation, and a new wooden building
erected on Balmforth Avenue, to take the place of the old Frank-
lin Street building.
The New Street school building was finished in 1868 at a cost
of $26,000, and was opened on May 4th, with Mr. N. C. Pond as
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 351
principal, and an attendance of four hundred scholars. Mr.
Pond resigned within a short time, and was succeeded by Mr.
J. M. Smith. He left the school a few years afterward, and Mr.
Warren was appointed in his place, but after a few years Mr.
Smith resumed the position and retained it untU his death in the
fall of 1894. Mr. Frank H. Bennett is the present principal.
By a vote of the selectmen and civil authorities, in 1869 the
Starr Fund of $4257 was paid to the Centre District, for the
establishment and maintenance of a high school, which was
founded on a curious basis, being established under the Stan-
Fund, Centre District money and town jurisdiction.
In 1881 the Balmforth Avenue school building with twelve
rooms was finished, it being the consolidation of the old Balm-
forth Avenue School, White and Upper Main Street branches.
An addition to the New Street school buUding was completed in
1886 at a cost of $20,000. Music was introduced in the Centre
District in 1888, with a capable instructor.
In 1893 a handsome brick school-house with eight rooms was
erected on Morris Street, for the benefit of the residents in the
western part of the city, and this year a new eight-room building
is being erected on Locust Avenue, for the benefit of residents in
the eastern part of the city. When this latter building is com-
pleted there will be in the Centre District four finely appointed
brick school buildings with a capacity of accommodating twenty-
five hundred pupils.
After the erection of the much-needed High School building,
Danbury's school facilities wiU be equal to any in the State.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
HISTORY OF THE BAR OF DANBTJRT, CONN.*
ELISHA WHITTLESEY.
The earliest mention of a member of the Bar in Danbury wUl
be found to be that of Elisha Whittlesey. He was a prominent
lawyer at the close of the last century, though but little can be
learned from the records as to his career. He was born January
8th, 1758 ; graduated at Yale College in 1779 ; married Mary
Tucker ; was representative and member of the Connecticut Con-
vention to ratify the Constitution of the United States in 1788.
He died November 9th, 18U2.
MATTHEW B. WHITTLESEY.
Matthew Beale "Whittlesey was born October 3d, 1766, at Salis-
bury, Conn., and was the son of John and Maiy Whittlesey.
After his admission to the Bar he commenced the practice of Ms
profession at Danbury in 1792, where he remained until his
death.
During his career he held various official positions, chief of
which was that of State's attorney. He was also a member of the
Legislature of Connecticut.
He was married December 28th, 1794, to Hannah White, who
died May 7th, 1819. In 1824 he married Caroline H. Buckley,
who survived him for a few months. He died October 10th,
1847.
He attained a high position in the profession which he had
chosen, and his amiable deportment, firmness of purpose, and
unblemished integrity won for him the regard and respect not
only of those who were associated with him in the law, but also
of the entire community in which he lived. He always vener-
ated the institutions of Christianity, and he died in the firm
belief of its teachings and in the hope of its rewai'd.
* Contributed by John R. Booth.
JlDUK liElBKN l!...iTn.
JflKiE PAVIL. B. Bo
l-lEl-T.-CDV. RouER AVF.BII.T
JiATTllEW n. WHITTI.ESE
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 353
On the announcement of his decease fitting resolutions were
passed by the Bar of the Superior Court, which was in session
at Danbury at that time, and an adjournment of the court was
taken out of respect to his memory.
REUBEN BOOTH.
Keuben Booth was bom in Newtown, Conn., on November
26th, 1794. When quite young his parents removed to Kent in
this State. His father, though a man of considerable attainment
in science, was in moderate circumstances, and required the assist-
ance of his son in his business (wool-carding) to support his
family. The subject of this sketch was employed in this busi-
ness until he was about seventeen years of age, when with his
father's consent he commenced the preparatory studies of a col-
legiate course, and in the fall of 1813 entered the Sophomore
Class in Yale College.
Shortly afterward he received information of his father' s death,
who was drowned in the Housatonic River. He hastened home,
expecting at that time to abandon his collegiate studies, as he
was unwilling to reduce the slender means of his mother, but a
few friends in Kent generously offered to loan him the amount
requisite to complete his course, and he returned to college. He
graduated at the commencement in 1816, being the last at which
President Dwight the elder presided.
Immediately thereafter he commenced the study of the law
with David S. Boardman, Esq., of New Milford, with whom he
remained about a year, and then removed to Danbury, where he
continued his law studies with Moses Hatch, Esq. At the same
time, he was employed as an instructor in the Academy in Dan-
bury.
In 1818 he was admitted to the Bar, and opened an office for
practice in Danbury. In 1822 he was elected a representative of
the town in the General Assembly. In the same year he was
appointed Judge of Probate for the District of Danbury, and
continued in that office by successive annual appointments until
1835. In 1830 he was elected a State Senator. In 1844 and 1845
he was elected Lieutenant-Governor of the State. He died at
Danbury, August 14th, 1848, after an illness of a little more
than two days. This was during a session of the County Court
of that place. On Friday, August 11th, he was engaged in the
364 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
trial of a cause before that court, which he argued with his usual
ability, and his death occurred on the Monday night following.
At his funeral the business of the place genei'ally was suspended.
He was buried in the cemetery of the Episcopalians in Danbury,
he having been during the latter part of his life a member of that
communion.
Mr. Booth's professional practice at the time of his death was
as extensive as that of any member of the Bar in the county.
He was distinguished for his industry, his cases were always
thoroughly prepared, and his knowledge of the law was accu-
rate. He was at once zealous for his clients and courteous to his
adversaries.
He was well known in this State as an active and leading poli-
tician. His i)olicy was always conservative. During the two
years that he was presiding officer of the Senate of this State,
the members of that body who were his political opponents felt
and acknowledged his liberality of sentiment and conduct. He
was always firm in his principles, but when principles were not
concerned, he regarded and treated his political opponents as
friends. He was a warm and generous-hearted man. Remem-
bering that in early life he was indebted to others for aid, no
deserving young man ever asked in vain for a loan from him
which it was in his power to give. He was simple and unosten-
tatious in his manners, kind and benevolent in his disposition.
He loved the young, and they never feared to approach him, as
they knew that his sympathies were with them.
Mr. Booth was married to Jane Belden, daughter of the late
Rev. David Belden, of Wilton. Five children were the result of
thLs union, only one of whom, Mrs. George Ferry, of Plainfield,
N. J., is at present living.
NELSON L. WHITE.
Nelson Lloyd White was born in Danbury on AprU 7th, 1812,
at the house so long occupied by his father. Colonel E. Moss
White, and which stood where the present Library Building
stands. He studied law under the direction of the Hon. Reuben
Booth, and in 1840 was admitted to the Bar of Fair-field County.
He was clerk of the State Senate in 1844 and 1845, and in 1847,
1848, and 1849 was Judge of Probate for the District of Danbury.
In 1856 he was a delegate to the first Republican National Conven-
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 355
tion at Philadelphia. From 1868 to 1874 he was State's Attorney
for Fairfield County, and discharged the duties of the office with
singular ability and faithfulness. On the breaking out of the
Rebellion in 1861 he joined the Wooster Guard of Danbury as a
private, and drilled with the company at New Haven, but was
rejected by the Marshal because his age was beyond the limit
fixed by law. Governor Buckingham immediately commis-
sioned him as a field officer in the Fourth Connecticut Infantry.
This regiment enlisted for three years ; was called to the field in
May, 1861 ; was sent into Virginia early in the summer of that
year under General Banks, and was afterward transferred to the
First Connecticut Artillery, and took part in guarding the de-
fences at Washington. It then joined the siege artillery and
served gallantly in the Peninsula campaign, and under General
Grant in the siege of Petersburg and Richmond. Mr. White
was lieutenant-colonel of this regiment, and sometimes served as
inspector-general.
He was mustered out in 1864. His conduct in the army was
uniformly that of a high-minded gentleman. His moral influ-
ence and weight of character were felt throughout the regiment,
and he was universally honored and beloved by officers and
soldiers. He loved his profession ardently, and always stood
up in defence of the right. He had peculiar power as an advo-
cate, and spoke with a fervor that often made him a dangerous
antagonist before a jury. He was very courteous in his de-
meanor, unostentatious in his charities, and public-spirited to
the fuU extent of his means. He had a temperament eminently
hopeful, which could override losses and disappointments in
the anticipation of something better. He was devoted to his
home and his friends. He was fond of books, especially those
relating to history and poetry, and his love of flowers and trees
amounted to a passion.
He was a man of courage, moral, intellectual, and physical.
He did not know what fear was in any of the relations of life.
He was a man of impulses and intuition. He never waited to
hear the opinions of others in order to modulate the expression
of his own and shape them to some private end, but spoke as he
thought and thought as he breathed with a spontaneity vital as
his life. His intellect was moved by his sensibilities, and these
were in accord with a sense of right, which could hardly have
356 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
forsaken him even in his sleep. Colonel White came of an old
colonial family and lived up to its record. He possessed great
personal advantages and a peculiar patrician style and manner,
but at the same time seemed unconscious of them. The thought
of himself found little place in his sympathetic and impulsive
nature, while the kindness of his heart yielded only to his sense
of justice and his fidelity to truth.
Colonel White was man-ied to Miss Sarah Booth, daughter of
David Booth, Esq., of Kent, on July 5th, 1836. Five children
were born to them, of whom three daughters and one son
are now living. The son, Dr. Granville White, is practicing
medicine in the city of New York. Colonel White's death
occurred November 17th, 1876.
THEODORE MCDONALD.
Theodore McDonald was born in Danbury on March 26th,
1835, and was the son of Allen and Harriet McDonald. He en-
tered Yale College in 18.^)5, and graduted therefrom in 1859. His
chosen profession was that of the law, and on his return from
college he entered the law office of the late William F. Taylor,
and was soon admitted to the Bar. He remained in Mr. Taylor's
oflice, continuing practice until 1870, when he formed a partner-
ship with the late Colonel Nelson L. White, with ofiices in the
old Library Building, which firm continued until Colonel White's
death in 1876. For about two years after that Mr. McDonald
practiced alone, when ill health forced him to cease, and he soon
fell a victim to that lingering disease consumption. His death
occurred on March 29th, 1880, at the house of his father, where
he had always lived.
He was of a quiet, undemonstrative nature, and made many
friends during his career in Danbury, to whose wants he was
always quick to respond. He was generous to a fault, and to
those who knew him intimately his memory will always be dear.
ROGER AVERILL.
Roger Averill was born in Salisbury in this State on Aiigust
14th, 1809. He came of good New England stock, among whom
were some of the earliest settlers of the State, his parents being
Nathaniel P. AverUl and Mary Whittlesey. One of a family of
seven children, reared on a small farm, his education had, of
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 357
course, to be mainly that of his own earnings. By the aid of a
common school and a public library, by farming in summer and
teaching in winter, he j)repared for college under the guidance
of his brother Chester, a professor in Union College, and was
graduated from that institution with honor in 1832.
After studying law with Judge (afterward Chief Justice) Church
in his native town, he was admitted to the Bar in ] 837, and
opened an office for practice, after teaching for a short time in
the Academy there. In 1849 he removed to Danbury, and at
once attained a wide and successful practice. Of tine personal
appearance, with a ceremonious courtliness of the old school, a
ready man of business, industrious by instinct, sound of judg-
ment, and careful in advice, seizing and presenting in an effec-
tive way the strong points of a case to the jury, and securing the
confidence of the court by the general justness of his legal propo-
sitions, he always stood well in the ranks of his profession, to
which he was greatly attached, and whose honor and welfare no
one had more nearly at heart. A man of instant impressiveness,
his native power was constrained by a caution so guarded and
ingrained that he sometimes failed to give in expression the full
force of his thought. Conservative by nature and apt to keep
his own secrets well, he was open, candid, and thorough in his
dealings with his clients, whose lifelong fealty he held when
they realized the virtue of his wise and peace-loving counsels.
In the public service he filled many functions, beginning with
all the various and useful apprenticeships of the country lawyer.
As town clerk, judge of probate, school visitor, trustee of the
State Normal School, member of the State Board of Education,
member of the Legislature, presiding officer of the Senate, and
in other ofiices of trust, he discharged his official and fiduciary
duties vrith acceptance.
In the spring of 1861 he was a prominent leader of the political
party which opposed the election of President Lincoln, but the
instant the news came of the assault on Fort Sumter, he hastened
to fling his flag to the breeze, first of his townsmen, and waiting
for no following. Thenceforth he devoted himself enthusiasti-
cally to the success of the Union arms.
After the war his participation in public affairs and the care
of private trusts prevented that devotion to strictly legal pur-
suits so essential to the highest success in his profession. His
358 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
interest, however, in everything tending to its welfare remained
unabated. He was one of the organizers of the American Bar
Association, and an active participant in its proceedings up to
the year of his death. He was for several years acting chairman
of the Bar of his county. A good parliamentarian, prompt,
decided, and dignified, he was often chosen to preside in public
assemblages.
He married in October, 1844, Maria J). White, of Danbury,
who died in February, 1860. In September, 1861, he married
Mary A. Perry, of Southport, who survives him. He left four
children, two sons and two daughters, the sons following their
father's profession — John, the only son living, being the present
clerk of the Superior Court of New London County.
Mr. Averill died at Danbury, December 9th, 1883, at the ripe
age of seventy-foiir, untouched by the infirmities of old age.
OLIVER A. G. TODD.
Oliver A. G. Todd was born in Plymouth, Conn., in October,
1812. When a young man he moved to Litchfield and entered
the law office of the late Chief Justice Church. He was admitted
to the Bar in 1833, and at once opened an office in New Milford,
where he soon had a considerable amount of practice. Later he
moved his family to Bethel, and opened an office in Danbury in
the old Stebbins Block, which stood on the site of the building
now occupied by George Kinner the di-uggist. Here he con-
tinued practicing for a number of years, and subsequently moved
his family to Danbury, where he remained in the practice of his
profession until his death, which occurred on August 14th, 1886,
from a sudden attack of apoplexy.
Mr. Todd was married twice, his first wife being Mary Ann
Pierpont, of Plymouth, who died in 1865. He afterward mar-
ried a daughter of Mr. Charles Sturges, of Danbury. Seven
children survived him.
He was for several years "trying justice" of the town. He
was a painstaking and useful lawyer and magistrate.
DAVID B. BOOTH.
David Belden Booth was born April 19th, 1824, at Danbury,
in which town he Kved during the greater part of a useful life,
and where he died on January 2d, 1889.
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 359
He was the son of Reuben Booth, and was from his boyhood
familiarized with the profession in the practice of which his life
was spent. He entered Trinity College in 1840, but was obliged
on account of ill health to leave that institution when in his
Junior year. He studied law in his father's office, and was
admitted to the Bar in August, 1846. For a short time he prac-
ticed in the city of New York, but soon returned to Danbury,
and immediately attained in both law and politics a prominence
which he retained until his death. In the field of law, while
skilled in the actual trial of causes, he was especially eminent
as an adviser and counsellor and as an expert draughtsman of
legal papers. His knowledge of the statute law was almost un-
equalled, and was so ever-present in his mind that a printed copy
was well-nigh superfluous in his office.
Courteous in his manners, very retentive in his memory, ready
and disinterested in counsel, he attracted around him a large
number of jsersonal friends and clients who always sought his
aid when in need. The same qualities which gave liim success
as a counsellor made him conspicuous in politics. He was for
many years one of the most active and prominent Republicans
in this part of the State. His capability and popularity caused
him to be elected to many of the principal offices in the gift of
his fellow-townsmen.
He represented Danbury in the General Assembly in the years
1863, 1864, 1872, and 1880 ; was town clerk and Judge of Pro-
bate for many years, and was elected the first warden of the
borough of Danbury. He was also clerk of the Senate in 1854,
and one of the revisers of the General Statutes in 1866 and in
1875.
Mr. Booth was married July 6th, 1866, to Julia Richards, of
Farmington, Conn., who wdth four children survives him, the
eldest son, John R., also following the legal profession.
WILLIAM F. TAYLOR.
William F. Taylor was born in Augusta, Ga., October 27th,
1823. His father, Francis C. Taylor, was a direct descendant of
Thomas Taylor, one of the first settlers and patentees of Dan-
bury.
Mr. Taylor removed to Danbury with his parents at the age
of eight years, where he attended the public schools, entering
360 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Yale College when sixteen years old. After one year at that
institution he entered the Sophomore Class of Trinity College,
graduating therefrom in 1844 with honors. He was considered
one of the best Greek and Latin scholars of his class.
On leaving college he entered the law office of the late Gov-
ernor Charles Hawley, of Stamford, where he remained for one
year, subsequently studying with the late S. H. Hickok, of
Danbury. He was admitted to the Bar in August, 1846, and
immediately began the practice of law at Danbury.
In 1848 he received the degree of Master of Arts in Trinity
College. In 1850 he was appointed State's Attorney for Fairfield
County. In 1852 he was elected Democratic Presidential Elector
for the Fourth District of Connecticut, and was also chosen State
Senator for the Eleventh Senatorial District. In 1865 he was the
Democratic nominee for Congress for the Fourth District, and
although defeated, ran some hundreds ahead of his ticket. He
also held a number of minor political offices.
Mr. Taylor was an indefatigable worker, and was endowed
with a persistency and industry which soon won for him as
large a practice as any lawyer in Danbury. This characteristic
showed itself on the first day he entered his profession. He took
the oath and immediately went to the Bar and tried his first case.
He was married September 16th, 1806, to Isabella Meeker, of
Danbury. Three children were born to them, two daughters
and one son, Howard W., who is also a member of the Bar. Mr.
Taylor's death took place on October 4th, 1889.
WILLIAM BURKE.
William Burke was born in Ireland in 1820, and came to this
country when seventeen years old. He located in New Milford,
and after working at his trade as a shoemaker for a number of
years, he qualified himself by hard study for a professional life,
and was admitted to the Bar of Litchfield County after entering
upon his fortieth year, a striking illustration of the position
which a self-made man may achieve by perseverance and deter-
mination.
Mr. Burke removed to Danbury in 1869, and resided there
continuously until his death, which occurred on August 22d,
1890, after nearly two years of patient suffering from lingering
disease. He left a widow surviving him, but no children.
HISTORY OF UANBURY. 361
On his removal to Danbury he entered into business relations
with the late William F. Taylor, and afterward formed like
associations with the late Roger Averill and David B. Booth
respectively. In 1874 Mr. Burke was elected Judge of Probate
for the District of Danbury, holding the office from July, 1875,
until January, 1877. In 1880 he became Town Clerk, and upon
the passage of the present liquor law, in 1882, he was appointed
Prosecuting Agent for Fairfield County, holding the office until
his death. When the Borough Court was organized in 1884, he
was appointed Prosecuting Attorney, although of an opposite
political faith to the then dominant party, and continued in this
position until his death. Incidentally he held the office of Jus-
tice of the Peace.
In social matters his kindness of heart, his ever-ready smile
and cordial bearing, his bright and sunny disposition, and his
uprightness and strength of character made him many warm
friends who will long cherish a pleasant memory of him whose
life has been thus briefly sketched.
ARTHTTK H. AVERILL.
Arthur H. AveriU was the son of Roger and Maria W. Averill,
and was born in Salisbury, Conn., on July 6th, 1841. He was
graduated at Yale College in the Class of '69, and commenced
the practice of law in Danbury with his father in the old office
once occupied by Governor Booth. After his father's death, in
1883, he continued the practice of the law imtil his decease.
At the time of the organization of the Borough Court Mr.
Averill was appointed Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, and held
that office until the death of the late William Burke, in 1890,
when he was ai:)pointed Prosecuting Attorney. This office he
held until 1893. He was also for several years a Justice of the
Peace, and tried many cases in that capacity.
His death occurred on August 9th, 1894, after a short illness
from heart disease. He was unmarried.
Mr. Averill was a man of kindly disposition, strong prejudices,
and very marked individuality, and to those who knew him inti-
mately he was a warm friend. He had a liberal education, and
was remarkably well read, and he loved his profession with a
zeal and enthusiasm which is seldom equalled.
362 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
Other attorneys who have practiced in Danbury at various
times are as follows :
Epaphras W. Bull came to Danbury from Hartford about
1800, and removed to Ohio in 1841.
Moses Hatch came to Danbury fi-om Kent. He was an able
lawyer and defended the negro Amos Adams, who was hanged
at Danbury in 1817. He soon after removed to Kent, where he
died.
John R. Farnham located in Danbury in 1877, where he re-
mained until 1884, when he removed to Washington, D. C,
where he is at present residing.
Allan W. Page practiced for a few years in Danbury in part-
nership with David B. Booth. In 1885 he removed to Bridge-
port, where he is at present.
Frederick B. Hungerford located in Danbury in 1889, and re-
mained for about three years, Avhen he removed to East Hamp-
ton, Mass.
Thomas P. McCue commenced practice in Danbury in 1888,
and remained about three years, when he removed to the West.
John A. Toohey was admitted to the Bar in 1887 at Danbury,
and practiced for about two years, after which he moved to
Rockville, Conn.
Frederick S. Barnum came from Brewsters, N. Y., in 1889
and opened an oflBce in Danbury, which he kept for about two
years, when he returned to Brewsters.
Wilson H. Pierce came to Danbury in 1885, and remained for
about two years, and then moved to Waterbury.
The Present Bar.
Tlie members of the Bar at present located in Danbury are as
follows :
LTMAlSr T>. BREWSTER.
Lyman Dennison Brewster was born in Salisbury, Conn., July
31st, 1832. He entered the Freshman Class of Yale College in
1851, and graduated in the Class of '55. On his leaving college
he entered the law ofHce of the late Roger Averill, and was ad-
mitted to the Bar January 21st, 1858, and immediately began the
practice of his profession. In 1868 he was chosen Judge of Pro-
bate, and was a member of the General Assembly in 1870. He
HISTORT OF DANBURY. 363
was the first judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Fairfield
County, holding that office from 1870 to 1874. In 1880 he was
elected a State Senator. He was married January 1st, 1868, to
Sarah A. Ives, of Danbury.
Judge Brewster entered into partnership with Samuel Tweedy
in 1871, which firm was increased in 1878 by the addition of
Howard B. Scott. The firm of Brewster, Tweedy & Scott ex-
isted until 1892, when it was dissolved, Judge Brewster retaining
the old office over the Savings Bank of Danbury, and taking
into partnership Samuel A. Davis, the firm now being known as
Brewster & Davis.
Judge Brewster is the senior lawyer in Danbury, both in point
of years and in practice.
SAMUEL TWEEDY.
Samuel Tweedy is the son of the late Edgar S. Tweedy, and
was born in Danbury, April 21st, 1846. After attending the
public schools he entered Yale College, and graduated in the
Class of '68. He studied law in the office of AveriU & Brewster
at Danbiiry and at the Columbia Law School. He was admitted
to the Bar April 22d, 1871, at Bridgeport. He entered into
partnership with Lyman D. Brewster, which firm of Brewster &
Tweedy continued until 1878, when Howard B. Scott became a
member. At the time of the retirement of Judge Brewster in
1892, the new firm became known as Tweedy, Scott & Whittlesey,
Mr. Tweedy has never held public office, but has devoted himself
entirely to the practice of his profession.
He was married July 16th, 1879, to Mrs. Carrie M. Krom, and
one child, a daughter, has been bom to them.
BENEZET A. HOUGH.
Benezet A. Hough was born at Essex, Conn., on May 20th,
1842, and is the son of Dr. Alanson H. Hough. He graduated
from Brown University in 1866, and from the Albany Law School
in 1869, and was admitted to the Bar of Fairfield County in 1872.
In 1871 and 1872 he was the clerk in the General Assembly of
the House and Senate, respectively. After his admission to the
Bar he remained in partnership with the late David B. Booth
for about two years, since which time he has practiced alone.
From 1878 to 1880 he was Judge of Probate, and on the organi-
364 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
zation of the Borough Court he was appointed the first judge,
and continued in that position until 1893.
Judge Hough also has a war record, having served in the
Twenty-fourth Connecticut Regiment in 1862 and 1863.
He was married in 1877 to Maria Starr, daughter of the late
Charles P. Starr, and has three children.
AARON T. BATES.
Aaron T. Bates is the son of Taylor Bates, and was born in
Ridgefield, Conn., on November 11th, 1846. He studied law in
the office of White & McDonald, in Danbury, and was admitted
to the Bar in 1874. He has since continued in practice in Dan-
bury. He is married and has two children.
HOWARD B. SCOTT.
Howard B. Scott was born in Bridgeport, August 25th, 1851,
being the son of Albert and Caroline Scott. Upon both sides he
is of old New England ancestry. He removed to Danbury, and
was graduated from Amherst College in 1874. His law studies
were followed in the office of Brewster & Tweedy from July,
1876, to July, 1878, when he was admitted to the Bar of Fairfield
County, and became a member of the firm of Brewster, Tweedy &
Scott. At the dissolution of this firm he became a member of
the new firm of Tweedy, Scott & Whittlesey.
Judge Scott was the first Associate Judge of the Borough
Court, established in 1884, and held that position until 1895,
when he was appointed Judge of the City Court.
HOWARD W. TAYLOR.
Howard W. Taylor was born August 11th, 1858, being the son
of the late William F. Taylor. After attending the public
schools he entered the law office of his father, and was admitted
to the Bar in 1879. He continued in partnership with his father
until the latter' s death in 1889, since which time he has prac-
ticed alone. He has held several public positions, being at one
time Prosecuting Liquor Agent.
JAMES E. WALSH.
James E. Walsh was born in Pittsfield, Mass., on December
9th, 1857. He received a common-school education, and gradu-
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 365
ated from the Yale Law School in 1880, when he was admitted
to the Bar. He at once began the practice of law in Danbury.
He has held various political positions, being the first President
of the Board of Aldermen of the city in 1889. In 1893 he was
appointed Judge of the City Court of Danbury, and held the
position for two years. In 1894 he formed a partnership with
Henry A. Purdy, the firm being known as Walsh & Purdy. He
was married June 30th, 1891, to Mary E. Benedict, of Danbury.
GEORGE WAKEMAN.
George Wakeman is the son of Levi Wakeman, and was bom
in New Fau-field, Conn., February 19th, 1851. After attending
the public schools he studied law in the ofiice of the late William
F. Taylor, and was admitted to the Bar in 1881.
During the years 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1891, 1892, and 1893
he was Town Clerk of Danbury, and was Corporation Counsel
of the city in 1889 and 1890. He was married September 20th,
1876, and has two children.
WILLIAM A. LEONARD.
WilUam A. Leonard was born in Sandusky, O., on December
2.')th, 1852, the son of Cuyler Leonard and Julia Seeley. He
removed to Danbury at an early age, and after pursuing his
studies at the public schools entered the law office of B. A. Hough,
and was admitted to the Bar in 1880. He has since practiced in
Danbury, and has held several political offices as Assessor, Regis-
trar of Voters, etc.
EUGENE C. DEMPSET.
Eugene C. Dempsey was born at Barkhamstead, Conn., Jan-
uary 7th, 1864, the son of John C. and Jerusha Dempsey. After
graduating at the Winsted High School he studied law at New
Hartford with Judge Frederick A. Jewell, and was admitted to
the Bar at Litchfield in 1886. After practicing for a year at New
Hartford he removed to Danbury, where he has since remained.
In 1889 he entered into partnership with John R. Booth.
Mr. Dempsey was chosen a member of the General Assembly
from Danbury in 1895, and in the same year was appointed the
Associate Judge of the City Court of Danbury.
366 HISTORY OF DANBUEY.
JOHN R. BOOTH.
John R. Booth was born in Danbury, July 16th, 1867, and is
the eldest son of the late David B. Booth. After graduating
from the Danbury High School he spent one year at the Yale
Law School, and then entered the law office of his father, being
admitted to the Bar in 1889. He immediately entered into part-
nership with Eugene C. Dempsey, the firm of Dempsey & Booth
still continuing. He was Town Clerk during the year 1890, and
in the spring of 1891 was elected Judge of Probate, to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Judge J. Howard Taylor. He
held this position during 1891 and 1892, and in 1893 was ap-
pointed Prosecuting A.ttorney of the City Court, which office he
still holds. He is also assistant clerk of the Superior Court and
Court of Common Pleas.
GRANVILLE WHITTLESEY.
GranviUe Whittlesey was born July 11th, 1864, at Danbury,
being the son of the late Ebenezer "Whittlesey, and the grandson
of Matthew B. Whittlesey. After attending the public schools
he entered the law office of Brewster, Tweedy & Scott, and was
admitted to the Bar in February, 1890. He remained with this
firai until September, 1892, when the firm was dissolved, Mr.
Whittlesey becoming the junior member of the new firm of
Tweedy, Scott & Whittlesey, with which he continues at the
present time.
Mr. Whittlesey has devoted his time entirely to his profession,
holding but one public office, that of clerk of the City Court,
from July, 1892, until March, 1893.
JOHN F. CUFF.
John F. Cufi^ was born in Danbury, December 23d, 1860, the
son of John and Alice Cuff. He was educated at the public
school, and subsequently engaged in business in Danbury. He
then entered the Yale Law School, and graduated therefrom in
1892. He began practice in Danbury, and in 1893 was appointed
Corporation Counsel of the city, holding the office for two years.
CHARLES W. MURPHY.
Charles W. Murphy was born February 17th, 1855, at Dan-
bury, and is the son of William J. and Eugenia Murphy. After
HISTOBY OF DANBURY. 367
graduating from the Danbury High School he taught for a short
time, and then engaged in the hatting industry, part of the time
as a manufacturer.
Mr. Murphy pursued his legal studies with the late William F.
Taylor, and after his death with George Wakeman and the late
Arthur H. Averill. He was admitted to the Bar in 1892, and
has continued the practice of law since then.
SAMUEL A. DAVIS.
Samuel A. Davis was born in Danbury on October 14th, 1865.
He graduated from the Danbury High School in 1882, and after
spending a year at Harvard College engaged in business for a
short time. He then began the study of law in the office of
James E. Walsh, and entered the Yale Law School, from which
he graduated in 1893, being admitted to the Bar at the same
time. He then entered into partnership with Judge L. D. Brew-
ster, the firm being known as Brewster & Davis. He was ap-
pointed Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of the City Court in
1894, which office he still holds.
HENRY A. PUBDY.
Henry A. Purdy was born March 31st, 1871, at East Fishkill,
N. Y., being the son of John Purdy. After attending the pub-
lic schools he taught school for a short time, and then entered
the Albany Law School, from which institution he graduated in
1893. He then removed with his parents to Danbury and en-
tered the office of James E. Walsh, and was admitted to the Bar
in 1894. He at once entered into partnership with Mr. Walsh,
the firm being known as Walsh & Purdy.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
MEDICAL HISTORY.
The first physician of Danbury was Dr. Samuel Wood, bom
and educated in England, who married Rebekah, daughter of
Thomas Benedict, of Norwalk, and came to Danbury probably
before 1690.
In the settlement of the estate of Thomas Barnum, in 1695,
we find the name of Dr. John Butler.
In 1730 the will of Dr. Thomas Dean, of Danbury, was pro-
bated. Mention is made of wife Susanna, daughter Susanna,
wife of Samuel Stilson, sons Daniel and Ruben, daughters
Elizabeth and Rachel.
The estate of Dr. James Picket was inventoried in 1741.
From church and probate records beginning in 1755, we gather
the following regarding some of the physicians of old Danbury :
At a meeting of the First Ecclesiastical Society of Danbury,
held in December, 1756, we find among the list of those present
the names of Dr. Samuel Dickinson and Dr. Noah Rockwell.
The latter was probably a son of Joseph, who is mentioned
among the voters of Norwalk in 1694, and who had a son Noah
born in 1712. The will of Noah Rockwell was drawn on August
29th, 1769, and probated October 30th of the same year. In it
mention is made of wife Mercy and son Eliud. One of the wit-
nesses was Noah Whetmore (Wetmore), the first minister of the
church in Bethel, and as the names of Noah Rockwell and his
wife appear in the list of those who constituted the first church
in Bethel in 1760, it seems probable that Dr. Rockwell was
resident in Bethel. His name is mentioned in the records of
that church in 1760 and 1761.
In October, 1764, the First Society of Danbury appointed
" Doct. Samuel Dickinson and Mr. Thaddeus Benedict agents
for the sd. Society to appear before the General Assembly of this
Colony at their Sessions att New haven on October."
M.D. Wm. E. Buuth, M.D.
"Wm. C. Bennett, M.D.
E. D Bennftt, M.D.
Russell B. Bottsford, II. D.
E. A. Brown, M.D. E. C. Hendricks, M.D.
Daniel C
Wm. Bi-LKLEY, M.D.
HISTORY OF DANBUBY. 369
Dr. Dickinson was representative in 1764, 1765, and 1766. His
A\nll, drawn April 3d, 1770, mentions wife Rebekah, and only
child Rebekah. This daughter married Samuel Cooke in 1778.
Dr. Eliud Rockwell, son of Noah Rockwell, married Mary
Starr, daughter of Captain Thomas Starr, November 17th, 1768.
He died December 9tli, 1774, and his estate was distributed
March 31st, 1775. He left widow Mary (who afterward married
Dr. Peter Hayes), an only son Noah, and a daughter Mercy,
born June 17th, 1770, who married, October 10th, 1787, Thomas,
son of Thomas and Mercy (Knapp) Benedict. Among the real
estate divided are mentioned different tracts of mountain and
swamp land, ' ' old-plain lot. Great Pasture Meadow, well lot,
land in Wolf pit hills, Hoyt's hill, Seempogg hills, Boggs, and
land on the mountain east side the old fulling Mill Pond.' '
In August, 1767, " Doctor John Wood" was one of a commit-
tee appointed by the First Society ' ' to Take Cair to Supply the
Pulpit with some Proper minister untill this Society order
otherwise." Dr. John Wood was a grandson of Dr. Samuel
Wood, Danbury's first physician.
In the records of the " Starr Family" we find that Dr. John
Wood, born January 22d, 1739, married Sarah, daughter of Isaac
and Sarah (Starr) Hoyt, on March 23d, 1757. He died May 26th,
1801. His will, drawn September 27th, 1799, mentions wife
Sarah, two grandsons, John Wood Starr and Darius Starr, and
only child Lois Starr, wife of Thomas. Darius Starr, born in
1787, studied medicine, but never practiced.
In December, 1780, Dr. Sallu PeU was one of the collectors of
rates for the First Society, and in 1785 moderator of one of the
Society meetings. In May, 1781, he was executor of the estate
of Moses Osborne, of Ridgefield. He was also one of the charter
members of the first Masonic lodge of Danbury, organized in
1780. The inventory of his estate mentions him as "formerly
of Danbury, late of Sheffield, Mass." His will, drawn Septem-
ber 4th, 1805, and probated in January, 1808, gives (with certain
provisions) " to Amos Cooke, of Danbury, six hundred dollars"
and his " gold watch ;" to Elizabeth Henry, his washerwom.an,
$20 for the good care she has taken of his clothes, and divides
the remainder among his nieces and nephews. The last item we
copy entire : " As I think my sister Tamar does not and will not
want any part of my estate, I have thought fit to give her noth-
370 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
ing." This would lead us to conjecture that either " Tamar"
was well supplied with this world's goods, or that the family-
relations were slightly strained. The executors of this will were
Lot Norton, Jr., of Salisbury (a brother-in-law of Dr. Pell), and
Amos Cooke, of Danbury.
In 1791 Dr. Joseph Trowbridge married Olive Clark, as we
find in the records of the First Church.
In 1792 Dr. Trowbridge was one of the physicians who pro-
cured the charter for the Fairfield Medical Society, and in the
Farmer's Journal of April 13th, 1793, we find the following :
" The meeting of the Medical Society of Fairfield County
stands adjourned to Wednesday the first day of May next,
11 o'clock, at Capt. Clarke's Tavern in Danbury.
"Joseph Trowbridge, Clerk."
In 1797 he was Surveyor of Highways, and one of a committee
'' on Mr. Starr's School building."
In 1803 we find the name of Joseph Trowbridge among a com-
mittee in the Episcopal Church of Danbury. Letters of admin-
istration on the estate of Dr. Joseph Trowbridge, "late of the
City, County and State of New York, deceased, were granted to
Olive Trowbridge" of the same place on October 16th, 1815. Dr.
Trowbridge died in New York, April 22d, 1812, aged 50 years.
His widow became the wife of Dr. D. N. Can-ington, and died,
his widow, in February, 1865, aged 95 years.
In 1781 ' ' Doct. William Vaughn' ' was a practicing physician
in Danbury. His will, dravsm May 18th, 1813, and probated in
June of the same year, makes his wife Susanna sole heir and
executrix.
Dr. Jabez Starr is mentioned among others in the records of
the First Society in Danbury in the latter part of the last cen-
tury. He was a son of Captain Eleazer and Rebecca Starr ; was
born in 1755, and married Mary, daughter of John and Dorcas
(Holmes) Elliott, of Bedford, N. Y. He died in 1840, his widow
in 1845. Mention is made of him in the chapter on Old Dan-
bury.
In 1810 Dr. Alfred Betts and Sally, his wife, were admitted to
the Congregational Church from the church in Newtown, and
dismissed in 1817 to Florence, Huron County, O. The names of
two children are in the list of baptisms in the First Church — viz.,
niSTORY OF DANBURT. 371
Edward Crosby, in November, 1813, and Amarillis, in August,
1816.
Among the burials we find the following : " Jan. 10, 1803 Dr.
Lyndsley's child," and Oct. 10, 1804, "Mariah, dau Dr. Jabez
Starr."
Dr. Titus HuU removed to Danbury from Bethel in 1806. He
was a descendant of Dr. John Hull, of Wallingford. He resided
in a house which he purchased at public auction on March 27th,
1806, " situated vrithin about forty rods of the Court House."
Olive Hull, the wife of Dr. Titus Hull, was admitted to the First
Congregational church on October 26th, 1806, from the church
in Bethlehem, and dismissed in 1807 to the church in Bridge-
water, N. Y.
In 1816 Dr. Daniel Comstock and Dr. Alfred Betts were on a
committee " to raise money for the education of Pious indigent
young men for the Gospel ministry."
Daniel Comstock, M.D., was a son of David and Rebekah
(Grumann) Comstock, of Norwalk, Conn. He was born May
4th, 1767, and probably graduated in New Haven, where he
married Mary Dana, removing soon after to Millersville, L. I.,
where five of his children were born. He came to Danbury in
the early part of this century, as we find his name with that of
his wife recorded as admitted to the First Church in 1807. We
also find the baptism of two children. His name occurs on the
records of Society meetings quite frequently, and in 1810 he was
one of a committee " to wait upon Mr. John Frost with the Vote
of the church' ' to call the latter to the pastorate. Dr. Comstock
died August 27th, 1848, and is buried in the Wooster Street
graveyard.
Daniel Noble Carrington, M.D., married October 4th, 1781,
Mabel, daughter of Oliver and Lois Warner, of New Milford,
Conn. She died May 3d, 1801. His second wife was sister of
his first, Tryphena Warner, widow of Benjamin Starr Mygatt,
whom he married about 1804. She died in Danbury, June 16th,
1815. His third wife was Olive Clark, the widow of Dr. Joseph
Trowbridge, whom he married probably about 1817, as she was
admitted to the First Church in Danbury in that year. Dr.
Carrington died June 5th, 1834.
In 1751 in Probate Records is found a Dr. Rogers, but no other
mention of him.
372 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Samuel Dickinson, Noali Rockwell, and John Wood were
all practicing physicians here in 1757.
In 1775 we find mentioned Dr. Drake Hoyt and Dr. Benjamin
Starr Hoyt ; the latter was a son of Isaac and Amy (Starr) Hoyt,
who married Annie Wood, of Danbnry, in 1794. Removed to
Warwick, Orange County, N. Y., where he died, February 19th,
1826.
In the settlement of the estate of Samuel Morris, of Danbury,
in 1793, are bills from the following physicians : John Wood,
Jabez Starr, Titus Hull, of Danbury ; Preserve Wood, of Brook-
field ; Charles Peck, of Bethel ; and Perry, of Ridgefield.
It would be appropriate that his epitaph shoiild read :
" Afflictions sore long time he bore,
Physicians were in vain."
In an issue of the Farmers' Journal in May, 1790, Gilead
Taylor, executor, advertises for claims against the estate of Dr.
David Taylor, of Danbiiry.
Between 1780 and 1800 the following physicians were of Dan-
bury : John Wood, Titus Hull, Jabez Starr, Joseph Trowbridge,
Daniel N. Can-ington, Joseph Crane, Jr., William Vaughn,
Amos Baker, Drake Hoyt, and Barnum. " Dr. Christopher
Avery Babcock, of Danbiiry," died in 1782, and Mary Bab-
cock was appointed administrator of his estate. She was a
daughter of Thaddeus and Abigail (Starr) Benedict, and died
young.
Resident physicians in 1801 were WUHam Hull, Joseph Crane,
and Knap ; in 1804, Joseph Trowbridge, Amos Baker,
SaUu Pell, and Daniel N. Carrington. In 1808, Ansel Hoyt is
mentioned in records, and was probably of Danbnry.
The physicians of neighboring towns were often called to Dan-
bury, if we may judge from the frequent mention in settlement
of estates of Drs. Perry and Thomas Peck, of Ridgefield ; Drs.
Preserve Wood (brother of John, of Danbury), Lemuel Thomas
and Eli Perry, of Brooktield ; Dr. Davis, of Redding ; Dr.
James Potter, of New Fairfield ; and Dr. Asa Norton, perhaps
of Newtown. Drs. Charles Peck and Peter Hayes, of Bethel,
are often mentioned.
In an issue of the Danbury Recorder, in 1830, we find the fol-
lowing death notice: "Died in Monticello, Sullivan County,
HISTOEY OF DANBTTRY. 373
N. Y., 21st Jan., Dr. ApoUos B. Hanaford, formerly of this
city."
Russell B. Botsford, M.D., was born in Newtown, Conn.,
May 7th, 1794, and commenced the study of medicine with Dr.
Shepard, of Newtown, afterward studying with Dr. Gilbert, of
New Haven. He received his diploma in September, 1816, and
in the spring of the following year commenced the practice of
medicine in Danbury. In 1820 he married Eliza Whittlesey,
daughter of Matthew Beale Whittlesey, of Danbury, and died
in Danbury, December 26th, 1855.
Chandler Smith, M.D., was born in Hanover, N. H., February
16th, 1805 ; graduated from Dartmouth College, N. H., and mar-
ried Emily Perry, of Southport, Conn., November 27th, 1831.
He probably came to Danbury about that time, but died at the
early age of thirty-two, in September, 1837. He left two sons,
Walter Perry and Welford Russell ; both are now dead, as are
also their children. Dr. Smith was much esteemed in Danbury,
and though his stay here was short, he left many friends to
mourn his early death.
Ezra P. Bennett, M.D., was born in Weston, Conn., on August
31st, 1806. His father, Ezra Bennett, was descended from a
Scotch family, and his mother, Esther Godfrey, was of English
descent. Educational privileges in his native town were meagre,
but such as they were he made diligent use of them. He at-
tended school in the winter and worked on the farm in summer,
up to his fifteenth year. The two winters following he attended
a private school under the charge of a college graduate, where
he enlarged his knowledge of the common branches, and picked
up a smattering of Latin. After teaching school for a year he
studied medicine with Dr. Charles Gorham, of Redding, and in
1826 spent eight months in the medical school at Pittsfield,
Mass. The next year, after a term of the same length, he was
graduated as a doctor of medicine, and in January, 1828, com-
menced practice in Bethel. In 1838 he came to Danbury, where,
for nearly fifty-three years, he was " the loved and trusted phy-
sician." As a surgeon he was exceptionally successful, and the
boldness and skill of his operations gave him a deserved place
of honor in his profession. On June 24th, 1829, Dr. Bennett
married Sarah Maria, daughter of William Comstock, of Red-
ding. Their children were William and Andrew, twins, and
374 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Sarah L., who married Rev. John H. Lockwood, now of West-
field, Mass.
Andrew C. Bennett, born March 7th, 1836, died in May, 1850,
on the return voyage from England, whither his father had taken
him in vain search of health.
William C. Bennett graduated from Yale College with the
Class of 1858, and received the degree of M.D. from the College
of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City in March, 1860.
He practiced medicine with his father until July, 1861, when he
entered the army as Assistant Surgeon of the Fifth Connecticut
Volunteers, and was afterward surgeon of the regiment. Re-
signing this position, he received an appointment from the United
States as Surgeon of Volunteers ; was assigned to the Twentieth
Army Corps as Medical Inspector, and served on the staffs of
Slocum, Hooker, and Williams, successively. He was in the
Army of the Shenandoah, Potomac, Cumberland, and Georgia,
and accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea. He was
mustered out of service in March, 1865, and returned to Dan-
bury to practice with his father.
Dr. Ezra P. Bennett died October 27th, 1882, his widow three
years later, and the son, William C, died suddenly on July
12th, 1886.
Dr. J. H. Richards came to Danbury from Brooklyn in 1847,
and remained here for several years.
William Edmond Booth, M.D., was born at Newtown, Conn.,
March 26th, 1822 ; graduated from Yale Medical College, New
Haven, Conn., in 1842, and commenced practice in Danbury that
same year. He died at Newtown, February 19th, 1859. In the
Danbury Times of February 19th, 1859, is an obituary notice
written by William H. Francis, from which we extract the fol-
lowing : "Though so young, his activity and energetic cast of
character soon built up for him a practice such as his skill and
perseverance merited, and in a few years he gained the patron-
age and confidence of many as a reliable and skilful family phy-
sician. . . . Had his health been spared, we cannot teU how
much of good his love for and enthusiasm and research in the
science of medicine might have worked out for humanity. "
E. F. Hendrick, M.D., was born in Oxford, N. Y., September
9th, 1824 ; graduated from the Medical Department of the Uni-
versity of New York in 1850, and began practice La New Ohio,
HISTORY OF DANBUEY. 375
N. Y. Married Maria B. Stevens, November 27th, 1851, and
practiced in Danbury for some years, when he went to Burling-
ton, la. At breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted as Assist-
ant Surgeon in the First Connecticut Artillery ; later was trans-
ferred to the Fifteenth Connecticut Infantry, and afterward to
hospital service at New Berne, N. C. At the close of the war
he returned to Danbury, where he practiced until his death,
which occurred on September 27th, 1877. Dr. Hendrick was a
member of the Board of Education for six years.
Edward Armstrong Brown, M.D., was born in Newburg, N. Y.,
September 28th, 1827, and died June 13th, 1883. He graduated
from the Metropolitan Medical College in 1852, and came to Dan-
bury in 1853. He was Postmaster from 1860 to 1868, State Sena-
tor in 1876.
William E. Bulkley, M.D., born October 8th, 1798 ; came to
Danbury in 1855. He was a licentiate of Yale Medical School
in 1826, read medicine with Dr. Foot, of Virginia, attended two
or three courses in New Hampshire, and was dismissed to prac-
tice. He settled first at Colchester, Conn. ; afterward went to
Monterey, Mass. ; from that place to Hillsdale, N. Y. , and then
to Salisbury, Conn., returning again to Colchester, 'to Hillsdale,
then to West Stockbridge, Mass., finally settling in Danbury,
where he remained until his death, in 1870. For the fifteen years
of his residence here he had a large and successful practice.
UntU 1853 he practiced as a physician of the old school, when
he adopted homoeopathic methods. This change was due to the
influence of Bishop Hamlin, of New York, a summer visitor at
Hillsdale, who urged Dr. Bulkley to change to the new school
of practice, as Dr. Palmer, of New York, had done. He offered
to provide Dr. Bulkley with books and medicines, on the condi-
tion that he should adopt them if he found them better than
those he was using. After a three years' trial he reached the
conclusion that they were better, and became one of the first
homoeopathic physicians in Danbury. Dr. Bagg was here a
little before him, and Dr. Brower at the same time.
DANBURY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
To this organization belong the regular practitioners of the
city and neighboring towns. The originator was Dr. William C.
Wile, at whose residence, on the evening of November 7th, 1888,
376 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
an informal meeting was held, at wMch Dr. W. S. Todd, of
Ridgefield, was elected temporaiy president, and Dr. D. C.
Brown, secretary. Committees on by-laws and qualification for
membership were chosen. The first annual meeting was held at
the Tiu-ner House, January 2d, 1889, resulting in the election
for the ensuing year of Dr. J . H. Benedict, President ; Dr. A. E.
Barber, of Bethel, Vice-President ; Dr. D. C. Brown, Secretary
and Treasurer ; and the following Executive Committee : Drs.
W. C. Wile, F. A. Clark, W. S. Watson.
Since its inception the society has lost by death. Dr. William
T. Todd, of Ridgefield ; Dr. Peter H. Lynch, of Danbury ; Dr.
Edgar Lyon, of Bethel ; and by removals to other fields of labor :
Dr.' G. H. Pierce, to Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Dr. F. S. Benedict, to
Seymour ; Dr. W. P. Burke, to New Haven ; Dr. S. E. May, to
Bridgeport ; Dr. D. C. De Wolf, to Bridgeport ; and Dr. S. J.
Kelly, to Fall River, Mass.
The regular meetings occur the evening of the first Wednesday
of each month, and are devoted to the reading of original papers
and general discussions of medical and surgical topics. The
regular January meeting becomes the occasion of the society's
annual banquet. The members are keenly alive to the best in-
terests of our city along the lines of preventive medicine, and
much of our improved sanitation is due to the efforts of the
society.
The officers for the present year are Dr. F. P. Clark, Presi-
dent ; Dr. C. R. Hart, Bethel, Vice-President ; G. E. Lemmer,
Secretary and Treasurer ; Executive Committee : Drs. E. E.
Snow, W. S. W^atson, E. A. Stratton.
Following are the names of physicians now resident in Dan-
bury :
William F. Lacey, born in Brookfield, Conn., gi-aduated from
Yale Medical School in 1844, and commenced practice in Dan-
bury the same year.
John H. Benedict, M.D., born in Bethel, Conn.; moved with
his parents to Wisconsin when three years of age. Studied in
Cincinnati, 1854-58 ; practiced in Wisconsin untU 1862, when he
went out with the Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Regiment as Assistant
Surgeon, and served through 1864-65. Came to Danbury soon
after, and practiced with Dr. W. F. Lacey for six years, then
took an office by himself. For ten years he resided in Redding,
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 377
driving daily to Danbury to visit patients. Pension Siirv^eyor
since that office was first established.
A. T. Clason, M.D., born in Peekskill, N. Y., gradnated from
New York University in 1865. Resident of Danbury since 1866.
Frank Clark, M.D., born in Danbnry 18.52, graduated from the
College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York in 1876, and
commenced practice in Danbury the same year.
Edward Augustus Stratton, M.D., born in Danbury 1862,
graduated from New York University in 1883.
G. A. Gilbert, M.D., born in Danbury, March, 1859, gradu-
ated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York,
May, 1883 ; commenced practice in Danbury in the spring of 1884.
Wilbur Seymour Watson, M.D., born in New Hartford, Conn.,
1852, graduated from Long Island Medical College in 1884.
Resident in Danbury since 1885.
George Edward Lemmer, M.D., born in Newark, N. J., Sep-
tember, 1855, graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College,
New York City, in 1885, and commenced practice at once in
Danbury.
D. C. Brown, M.D., born in Norfolk, Va., 1863, graduated
from Yale 1884, commenced practice in Danbury 1886.
Richard ElUs, M.D., born 1862 in New York City, graduated
in 1888. Honor man in medicine and at Yale Academy in 1885 ;
came to Danbury in 1889.
Albert Fox, M.D., born in East Hartford, Conn., May 3d,
1825, graduated from Eclectic Medical College, New York City,
in 1871. Resident in Danbury since 1884.
William H. Murray, M.D., born in New York City, 1865, grad-
uated March 10th, 1890, from Bellevue Hospital Medical College,
New York.
William A. Barnum, M.D., born in Bethel, 1861, graduated
from Bennett Medical College, Chicago, in 1882. Resident in
Danbury since 1884.
Annie Keeler Bailey, M.D., born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Novem-
ber 6th, 1855, graduated from the Woman's Medical College of
the New York Infirmary, May 29th, 1885, spent nearly one year
in the New York Infirmary (Hosi^ital for Women and Children),
and came to Danbury, May 30th, 1886.
Francis Pollansbee, M.D., born in Peabody, Mass., 1854, grad-
uated from Bennett College, in Chicago, in 1881, and from the
378 HISTORY OF DANBUEY.
College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1886. Practiced in Beth-
lehem, Conn., and came to Danbury in 1888.
Harris Fenton Brownlee, M.D., born in LawyersviUe, Scho-
harie County, N. Y., September, 1866. Educated at Cobbleskill
Academy, N. Y., graduated in 1888 from the College of Phy-
sicians and Surgeons of New York City, two years in Riverside
Hospital, Yonkers, N. Y., came to Danbury in 1890.
Clayton Power Bennett, M.D., born in Danbury, 1865, gradu-
ated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York
City, 1890, and began practice in Danbury in 1892.
Nathaniel Selleck, M.D., born 1869, graduated from Univer-
sity of New York in 1891. Resident in Danbury since that time.
J. Alexander Wade, M.D., bom in Ulster County, N. Y.,
March, 1859, graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College
in March, 1893, and began practice in Danbury the same year.
Harvey Fox, M.D., born in Barkhamsted, Litchfield County,
Conn., February, 1856, graduated from Eclectic Medical College
of the city of New York in 1878, came to Danbury in August, 1888.
Emil Weiss, M.D., born in Danbury, graduated from Munich
and Leipsic, Germany, in 1887, came to Danbury in 1893.
Charles F. Craig, born in Danbury, July 4th, 1872, graduated
from the Medical Department of Yale University 1894, and began
practice in Danbury the same year.
W. F. Wood, M.D., was born in Sandwich, Barnstable County,
Mass., graduated at Baltimore in April, 1893. Resident here
since June of that year.
William C. Wile, M.D., bom in Pleasant Valley, N. Y., in
January, 1847. In 1862 enlisted in Company G of the One Hun-
dred and Fiftieth New York Regiment ; was at the front for
two years and eight months, in the battle of Gettysburg and
with Sherman in his march to the sea. On his return studied
medicine and graduated in 1870 from the New York University.
Practiced in New Brunswick, N. J., Highland, N. Y., and New
ton, Conn. Later was called to the chair of nervous diseases
at the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, where he re-
mained for one year. Owing to ill health he returned to Con-
necticut, settling in Danbury, where he has since resided. Dr.
Wile organized the Danbury Medical Association, and has been
an active member from the first. He has been Vice-President
of the Connecticut State Medical Society, President of the Dan-
HISTORY OF DANBUEY. 379
bury Medical Association, President of the Fairfield 'County-
Society, Vice-President of the American Medical Association,
President of the American Medico Editors' Association, and is in
addition a member of the British Medical Society and other for-
eign bodies. Dr. Wile was President of the Danbury Board of
Trade in 1894.
Louis G. Knox, M.D., born in New York City, June, 1851,
graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New
York City in 1872, from Columbia Veterinary College, 1884 ;
came to Danbury, 1885.
Albert D. Sturges, M.D., bom in Wilton, Conn., commenced
study of medicine in 1869, graduated in 1880, and again in 1890.
General practitioner of medicine, special of inebriety.
Dr. Adelaide (Taylor) Hoi ten, wife of John A. Holten, M.D.,
was born in Danbury, graduated from the Eclectic Medical Col-
lege in New York City, and began practice in Danbury in 1880.
The Homoeopathic School is represented by the following phy-
sicians :
William Bulkley, M.D.,* son of Dr. William E. Bulkley, was
born in Hillside, Mass., in 1832. When seventeen years of age
he ran away and shipped on a sailing-vessel. In 1849, with the
"gold fever" for California, he shipped on a sperm whaler,
sailed twice round the Horn, could not get off to go to California
" diggins," and came back without gold, but vdth a large experi-
ence. Resident in Danbury since 1868.
Sophia Penfield, M.D., was born in New Fairfield, Conn.,
graduated from the New York Medical College for Women in
1869. Spent the following year in dispensary work in the city ;
commenced the practice of medicine in Saugerties, N. Y., in
1870. Located in Danbury 1871. In 1894 opened a sanitarium
for the treatment of chronic diseases by mechanical massage.
Samuel M. Griffin, M.D., born in Cold Spring, N. Y., gradu-
ated from New York Homoeopathic Medical College in 1867,
came to Danbury in 1878.
AUan P. MacDonald, M.D., born at Antigonish, Nova Scotia,
1841, graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, III.,
in 1874, located in Danbury, October, 1887.
S. Willard Oley, M.D., born in Rush, Monroe County, N. Y.,
September, 1854, graduated from New York Homoeopathic Col-
lege in 1886, commenced practice in Danbury 1889.
* Dr. William Bulkley died December 2l8t, 1895.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CIVIL WAR.
Danbury was very quiet through the winter that preceded
the war. There was a talk of war, to be sure, but four fifths of
those who talked it did not believe in its possibility. It was
simply New England eloquence arriving at a burst in the pipe.
There Avas an impression that every State would secede except-
ing those which formed New England, and this would naturally
bring the war prospect down to a very narrow compass ; and
then again there were those who were sure that Connecticut
alone would remain in the Union while every other State would
go out. This made many of us confident that there was to be no
■war at all, and left us untrammelled in determining the number
of the enemy we could slay in battle. These matters were thor-
oughly and ably discussed when the weather was sufficiently
mild to permit with safety the occupancy of the depot and Con-
cert Hall steps.
It was a gloomy winter", however — gloomy because business
was interrupted by the uncertainty of the immediate future.
The summer and fall preceding had been seasons of prosperity.
Our staple indiistry, hatting, was at fuU tide. Every shop was
crowded with orders, large prices jDaid for labor, and large profits
made. Strangers were moving into town, and in every part of
the village buildings were going up at a lively rate.
After the November election all this was changed. Progress
came to a standstill as abruptly as if it had been mounted with
an aii'-brake. Hatting went under, and dragged with it — as is its
custom — every other branch of industry. Men had little to do
but to stand around and talk, and the result was as sure as taxes.
Dyspepsia set in and gloom followed. Danbury' s liver was full
of gall, and Danbury' s blood crawled sluggishly through its
veins. Sumter was the blue pill for the occasion, and most thor-
oughly it did its work.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 381
It was three o'clock on the afternoon of Saturday, April 13th,
1861, when Danbury received the news of the fall of Sumter,
and the first victory of the Secessionists. All that day anxious
men besieged the telegraph office in search of the intelligence
which they dreaded. When it came there was a shock. It was
as if the batteries that x^layed against the doomed fortress had
been galvanic, with their wires running through our heart's very
centre.
The next forty-eight hours were full of compressed life. They
were mental yeast cakes. No excitement had equalled it since
that April day, nearly a centixry dead, when the face of a for-
eign foe was turned our way and the tramp of an enemy's feet
pressed our borders. Now we knew there was to be a war.
Even the most sanguine of a bloodless ending to the trouble gave
up the hope of peace, but not the determination to win it. In
that first flush of indignant shame party lines went under, and
a sea of patriotic passion swept over Danbury. There was little
sleep in Danbury that night, there was none whatever the next
day, although there were eight churches here. St. Peter gave
way to saltpetre in the theology of that hour.
On April 15th President Lincoln issued his caU for seventy-
five thousand volunteers, and Governor Buckingham supple-
mented it with a call for vohmteers to rendezvous at Hartford.
Danbury was among the first to awake to the necessities of
the hour. Her patriotism was aroused, and her flags were
unfurled, showing her to be true to her colors. Hon. Roger
AveriU flung out the first flag, and he was followed by others,
until houses and hilltops were cro^vned with the emblem that
had ever led the armies of our country to victory. An in-
teresting incident occurred in connection with the unfurling of
Governor Averill's flag. Many distinctly remember the vener-
able Colonel E. Moss White. Several years before the war he
was stricken with paralysis, and never recovered from the shock.
He moved about with great difficulty and lost all control of
verbal expression except two words, in the form of an injimction,
which were, " Come all !" On seeing the flag he smote his breast
with both hands and cried aloud, again and again, " Come all !
Come all !" And the record shows that the able-bodied men of
his native town almost literally responded to the cry.
Governor Buckingham's call was received here on Wednesday,
382 HISTOEY OF DANBURY.
and on Friday, the 19tli, the Wooster Guards, commanded by
Captain E. E. WUdman, started for New Haven. It is a fact to
the honor and credit of the Guards that even before the gov-
ernor's call had been issued, the services of the company had
been tendered him, which he had promptly accepted.
The departure of the Guards for New Haven, which had been
made the rendezvous, was a grand, sublime, and yet a touching
and pathetic scene. Soon after dinner the Guards met at their
headquarters, then Military Hall, in the top story of D. P.
Mchol's Block, on the corner of Main and White Streets. Hun-
dreds of people met with them, and forming in line, escorted by
a cavalcade of citizens and a band, they marched to Concert
Hall, where now appropriately stands the Soldiers' Monument,
erected in memory of some of that brave band, whose courage
was equal to the test of giving up their lives for their country.
Filing into the hall, they were seated, and Rev. E. E. Griswold,
presiding elder of this district of the Methodist church, offered
a prayer to the Throne of Grace for their welfare and that of the
country. The services concluded the company re-formed, and
escorted by the crowd, which had by this time swelled to thou-
sands, they marched to the Danbury and Norwalk Railway
station to take the cars.
The large square on the north of the station now became the
scene and centre of the most intense and exciting interest. The
place was a condensed mass of humanity. Wives, mothers,
fathers, and children stood in tearful mood, but withal imbued
with firmness and patriotism and heroism, and exchanged good
wishes and farewells. Here, amid the huzzas of the crowd, the
bursts of martial music, the waving of flags, the boom of can-
non, the Wooster Guards went forth, the first company in the
State of Connecticut to pledge itself to the defence of the un-
tarnished honor of the commonwealth and the nation.
The following is the roster of the company :
Captain, E. E. Wildman.
First Lieutenant, Jesse D. Stevens.
Second Lieutenant, John D. Bussing.
Sergeants : Andrew Knox, MUo Dickens, William Moegling,
Samuel M. Petit.
Corporals : George B. Allen, E. S. Davis, Alexander Kallman,
Nathan Couch.
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Col. Nelson l. White.
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HISTORY OF DANBURY. 383
Musicians : Edward H. Dann, Grandison D. Foote.
Privates : John Allen, Harris Anderson, C. H. Anderson, John
Bogardus, Charles A. Boerum, James Blizzard, William H. Bliz-
zard, Thomas T. Bussing, James Bradley, Theodore B. Benedict,
A. H. Byington, George W. Banker, Charles A. Benger, Niram
Blackman, Thomas D. Brown, Henry E. Buckingham, William
K. Cowan, Lemuel B. Clark, William R. Doane, Josiah L. Day,
Edward H. Day, Joseph L. Dunning, Ezekiel Eaton, C. Field-
stone, Dennis Geliven, Christopher Grimm, Charles A. Gordon,
H. W. Gibbs, Carl W. Hillbrandt, William O. Hoyt, W. P. Hoyt,
David B. Hoyt, Alfred H. Hoddinott, Thomas Hooton, Otto
Hagement, James Howath, Jesse L. James, Ernest T. Jennings,
Isaac N. Jennings, George D. Keeler, Morris A. Krazynsky,
WUliam J. Murphy, Emil C. Margraff, James Martin, Andrew B.
Nichols, Horace Purdy, Francis W. Piatt, Joseph W. Raymond,
James Reed, James R. Ross, Timothy Rose, George L. Smith,
AJson J. Smith, Benjamin F. Skinner, David Sloane, Grandison
Scott, Louis Shack, Eli D. Seeley, Augustus Staples, George
Sears, James H. Taylor, Joseph Tammany, Darius A. Veats,
Edgar L. Wildman, Howard W. Wheeler, John Waters.
The Times of May 2d, 1861, in speaking of the commanders
of the Danbury companies, has the following : " Captain Wild-
man is a young, energetic, sti'aightforward, and highly esteemed
citizen. His response to the caU of the governor was, ' Our
country needs our services, and it is our duty to go,' and by his
manlj'^, resolute course inspired his whole company with confi-
dence and courage. It cannot be otherwise than a source of
gratification to those who have friends and relatives in the guards
to know that their services will be performed under a brave, gal-
lant, and honorable commander."
The company arrived in New Haven at six o'clock, and there
they were met by the Grays, a company from that city, and by
thousands of people, who gave them a hearty welcome. They
were escorted to the New Haven House, where they made their
headquarters.
Lieutenant-Colonel Gregory, who escorted the boys to New
Haven, returned Saturday evening, and a meeting was called in
Concert HaU. He, with the band, was escorted to the hall, and
after the organization of the meeting by electing Isaac Smith as
chairman, Colonel Gregory responded to loud calls, and reported
384 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
the arrival of the boys in New Haven, their reception there, and
what other information he possessed concerning them. The ex-
citement was at a fever heat, and papers, pens, and ink were
called for and a roll started for a second company. This was in
little over twenty-four hours from the time of the departure of
the first company. As one after another put his name to the
paper, cheer after cheer were given.
The people of Danbury still further showed their patriotism
and their love for their absent sons in another way. On Monday
afternoon, April 22d, a meeting of the town was held to provide
for the means of support of the members of the Guards. There
was but one sentiment in the meeting, and that was liberality
toward the families. The following preamble and resolutions
were unanimously passed :
" ^VJlereas, The Wooster Guards, a military company com-
posed mostly of citizens of this town, having, in obedience to the
requisition of the President of the United States upon the Gov-
ernor of this State for troops, in order to suppress the rebellion
in sundry States of the Union against the laws thereof, with
patriotic and commendable ardor, tendered their services, and
already gone forth to perform their part in ' the effort to main-
tain the honor, the integrity, and existence of our national
Union ;' and
" Whereas, One other military comj)any is now being organ-
ized in this town for a like glorious object ; and
" Whereas, Many of the individuals of this town, belonging
to said companies, leave behind them families dependent upon
their daily earnings for their subsistence, and who, without pub-
lic aid, will be liable to suffer to a greater or less extent for the
ordinary necessities of life, be it therefore
' ' Resolved, That an appropriation be made from the treasury
of the town of Danbury for the support of the families of resi-
dents of said town who have volunteered or hereafter shall vol-
unteer, in accordance with the calls of the President of the United
States in the present national troubles ; and the appropriation
hereby made shall be expended as follows :
' ' To the wife of each volunteer the sum of three doUars per
week, and one dollar per week for each child that such volunteer
may have dependent on him for support, which shall be paid
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 385
weekly ; and such allowance shall continiie during his term of
voluntary enlistment.
" Edgar S. Tweedy and John W. Bacon are appointed a com-
mittee to carry this resolution into effect, and orders shall be
drawn from time to time on the town treasury for the purpose
aforesaid. Said committee shall exercise discretionary powers
in making provision for families of such volunteers, other than
wives and children."
Another preamble and resolution was offered and also unani-
mously passed, which showed Banbury's patriotism still farther.
It was as follows :
" 'Whereas, A company of volunteers has left and a second is
now organizing in this town for service in the reigments of Con-
necticut Volunteers, and the State of Connecticut is not now in
a condition to furnish them with the necessary uniforms and
overcoats,
"Resolved, That Frederick Starr, George M. Southmayd,
Judah P. Crosby, and A. B. Hull be authorized to equip said
companies with the necessary uniforms and overcoats, and the
selectmen are hereby authorized to draw their order on the town
treasurer for the purpose."
On Tuesday evening, April 23d, at a meeting held in the
Young Men's Christian Association rooms, a company of thirty
men was formed under the title of Union Reserved Guards^
They were immediately put under military discipline and drill.
On Monday, April 29th, the second company left for New
Haven. The day was one of the loveliest of the season. May
had come ahead of time, and the soft breezes and balmy air were
invigorating. Nature had begun to wake from her lethargy,
and typified the awakening of the patriotism of our heroes. The
whole population turned out to bid Godspeed to the company.
A cavalcade of over one hundred horsemen gathered in front of
the residence of Russell Hoyt, on Main Street. Among them
were many citizens of Bethel. Judah P. Crosby was the mar-
shal, and Granville W. Morris, then deputy sheriff, J. D. Rowers,
and Charles E. Andrews wei-e his aids. The Danbury Zouaves,
a company then forming for the State service, formed at Concert
Hall. This was their first appearance, and they were a surprise
to all. Nearly every man was six feet tail, and they made a
386 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
line show. One of the features of the company on this occasion
was a iiag of unusual size mounted on a staff which was affixed
to a platform borne on the shoulders of six men. On the plat-
form, and holding on to the staff, was a little gii-1 of three years,
dressed in white. The cavalcade and Zouaves met the Danbury
Rifle Company, and after marching and countermarching between
Concert Hall and the bridge they halted at the railway station.
Here a platform had been erected, and on this were the clergy of
Danbury.
Rev. I. L. Townsend opened the exercises by reading a prayer
provided by the bishop for use during the war. He was fol-
lowed by Rev. G. M. Stone, of the Baptist Church, who spoke
to the soldiers and citizens alike. Rev. Mr. Pegg, of the Meth-
odist Church, next addressed the crowd, and then Rev. Mr.
Hoyt, a former pastor of the Methodist Church in Danbury, and
Rev. Mr. Coe, of the Congregational Church. A clergyman
from New Fairfield, Rev. Mr. Kinney, who had enlisted as chap-
lain of the regiment, then offered the benediction. An interest-
ing incident next occurred in the presentation to Captain Moore,
by Mrs. F. S. Wildman, of a handsome Bible. The captain
gracefully responded, and then an interval of a few minutes was
given for the bidding of farewells, and the company entered the
cars and started for New Haven.
The Times, in speaking of the commanders of the Rifles, says :
" In military and civil life Captain Moore has ever enjoyed the
respect and confidence due to a gentleman. He served with
credit to himself and honor to his country in the war with
Mexico, at the close of which he laid aside his military equip-
ments, only to resume them again at the call of his country. He
is a citizen soldier, and, like those in the earlier times which
tired men's souls, when the blow is struck he will be there."
The following is the roll of the company as it left :
Captain, James E. Moore.
First Lieutenant, Samuel G. Bailey.
Second Lieutenant, Charles H. Hoyt.
Sergeants : Frederick W. Jackson, Walter C. Sparks, Henry C.
White, John R. Marsh.
Corporals : Eben L. Barnum, Seneca Edgett, Milton H. Dan-
iels, Henry O. Leach.
Musicians : Lewis Bedient, Joseph L. Converse.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 387
Privates : Samuel B. Armstrong, James M. Ballard, George W.
Bamum, Isaac B. Basely, Henry S. Beardsley, Alired L. Bene-
dict, Samuel Berry, George W. Beebe, Frederick Bevins, Horace
Bourne, Augustus E. Bronson, Clark T. Bronson, Edwin Bums,
James Callahan, Hiram Cobleigh, George Chapman, Edwin
Couch, Robert S. Dauchy, William H. Davis, George Dickenson,
Owen Dewenny, John G. Ely, Eli Ferry, Jr., Patrick Foley,
George W. Goold, John Gray, William Hall, Minot Hale, Thomas
Horan, Edgar A. Hoyt, William Judson, John Keeney, Thomas
Keeney, James E. Lee, Eli Lobdell, George Loudon, John N.
Main, David B. Mansfield, John Moore, Alsop L. Monroe,
Charles Morgan, Abram Moffatt, Thomas McKey, David McKin-
man, Lawrence McAvoy, Michael McGowan, George Northrop,
Lewis P. Osborne, William R. Potter, David J. Pratt, Henry
Quien, Philip Rourke, Amos Raymond, Isaac B. Rogers, Thad-
deus Rooney, Joseph Riley, John H. Salisman, Bennett Sher-
man, James B. Taylor, William H. Taylor, Edward S. Warren,
Harvey Wilson, Charles H. Woodruff, George B. Young.
The company was assigned to the Third Regiment, and was
known as Company C. The date of mustering in was May 14th.
In the mean time the Wooster Guards were suffering in New
Haven. Their rations were insufficient in quantity and shame-
ful in quality. A letter written by a member of the company
to his father here was published in the Times of May 9th, and
was made the subject for a meeting of the citizens, which was
held in Concert Hall on Sunday afternoon, the 5th inst. Edward
Brockett was chairman, and G. W. Morris, secretary. Mr. L. S. -
Barnum made an address, stating the facts from his own per-
sonal knowledge. He was followed by several other citizens,
who, while they said that the volunteers themselves made no
complaint, expressed intense indignation at the treatment the
boys were receiving. A series of resolutions were read and
unanimously adopted, expressive of the determination of the
citizens of Danbury, that our volunteers, who had so nobly and
promptly enlisted under the banner of the Union, should be well
fed, if they had to do it themselves. These resolutions were
numerously signed and forwarded to the Senator and Repre-
sentatives from Danbury, and through them presented to the
Governor and Legislature. The effect of this meeting was imme-
diately apparent, for before the next week was closed Captain
388 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Wildman Avrote to Danbuiy that they were again enjoying good
rations.
On May 16th the Danbury Zouaves, under the command of
Captain Henry B. Stone, left for Hartford. The demonstration
by the citizens was on a much larger scale than anything pre-
ceding it. Danbury and Bethel united in forming a cavalcade,
which, together with the Home Guards, Union Cadets, and the
Anderson Guards (Irish Volunteers), and the Fire Department
formed an escort for the Zouaves as they marched to the cars.
While waiting for the train exercises were gone through with,
an opening prayer being delivered by Rev. Mr. Griswold, and
speeches by Rev. Mr. Stone, of Danbury, and Rev. Messrs.
Barclay and Baldwin, of Bethel. There were several members
of the company from Bethel and Ridgefield. At the close of
the speaking Rev. Mr. Stone distributed copies of the New
Testament among the company, and Captain Stone returned
thanks for the gifts.
The parting scenes between the men and their families were
more affecting and painful than on previous occasions, for this
was for three years, and perhaps longer. Tears were freely shed,
the feeling of reserve was broken down and the public eye
saw many heart-rending scenes which naturally are regarded as
sacred.
The roster of the company, which became Company A, Fifth
Regiment, is given below :
Captain, Henry B. Stone.
First Lieutenant, James A. Betts, Jr.
Second Lieutenant, William A. Daniels.
Sergeants : Theodore H. Dibble, Edward K. Carley, George N.
Raymond, James Stewart, Jr., John O. Shufeldt.
Corporals : Daniel Odell, Daniel L. Smith, Luther M. More-
house, Edgar A. Stratton, John H. Bennett, Addison M. Whit-
lock, Albert Warner, J. K. UnderhiU.
Musicians : Edward A. Durant, James L. Conklin.
Wagoner, Martin C. Vaucor.
Privates : Charles H. Anson, Theodore J. AUsheskey, Charles
W. Bill, George A. Bradley, William M. Burritt, Wesley H.
Bottsford, Frederick J. Booth, James Byers, William N. Beers,
Thomas E. Benedict, John Butler, Fred N. Clark, Theodore D.
Clark, James Campbell, George W. Cock, William H. Card,
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 389
Horace S. Crofut, Hiram M. Cole, Henry B. Curtiss, John Car-
ney, David O. Comstock, Henry Coe, Alexander Cook, Marvin
M. Curtis, Robert N. Drew, James E. Durant, William W.
Downer, Charles H. Duranb, George S. Feny, John D. Gorley,
John Grouse, Thomas Garnett, John Gilbert, Gilbert N. John-
son, Thomas A. James, John B. Johnson, Philo W. Jones, Jr.,
Daniel A. Keyes, Oscar H. Keeler, George B. Loomis, Isaac K.
Leach, Otis G. Lewis, William H. Lockwood, William H. Lang-
don, Dennis Larkin, David B. Mills, Ruf us Mead, Jr., William N.
Mix, Henry Manning, Smith Mead, William H. Patch, Abram T.
Peck, H. C. Prime, Isaac B. Rogers, Charles B. Rogers, James H.
Rasco, William J. Ritchie, Frederick Rogers, John Riley, Henry
Stokes, John A. Seymour, William B. Sharp, George C. Smith,
Enos A. Sage, George D. Squires, WiUiam K. Shaw, James M.
Smith, Oliver Sloan, George F. Stone, George Scott, Gardiner
Stockman, Hezekiah Sturges, Benjamin F. Squires, James SuUi-
van, Charles S. Teley, John Tilley, Arthur M. Thorp, George W.
Valentine, F. M. Wildman, Philip L. WiUiams, George H.
Woodworth, George K. Winkler, Thomas M. Welsh, George W.
Wells, R. R. Werner, William H. Wheaton.
After the departure of the Zouaves the continuation of the
payment of bounties to the families of enlisted men was dis-
cussed. The cost was something like $316 per week, and in the
then stringent state of finances, the town treasury was in danger
of collapsing. A town meeting was called for May 27th, and
the Town Hall was crowded with voters. A resolution was
offered by Mr. E. S. Tweedy, which being amended was as fol-
lows :
" Whereas, Three companies of volunteei's having been organ-
ized in this town, and have mustered into the service of the
United States Government, and a liberal provision has been
made for the families of those who have so readily responded to
the call of their country ; and whereas the number of volunteers
offered from various parts of the United States exceed largely
the demands of the General Government, there is no necessity
at present for furnishing an additional force from this town.
' ' Resolved, That this town rescind so much of the vote passed
the 22d of April, 1861, as affords a bounty to those who may
hereafter enlist into the service of the United States ; biit that
we solemnly reaffirm the pledges made to those who have already
390 HISTORY OF DANBUKT.
enlisted and left their homes, during their full term of service,
except the families of those volunteers who were not residents of
this town on the 22d of April, 1861."
The motion drew out a free and spirited discussion. To the
declaration of the resolution that the town strictly adhere to the
pledges given for the support of the families of volunteers there
was no expression in favor of receding. Each speaker felt that
the town had been liberal, perhaps in excess, either in the
amount appropriated to each family, or in the unlimited char-
acter of the resolution, while at the same time it was promptly
admitted that those who had incurred responsibilities under the
protection of the resolution should be honorably and fully sus-
tained. The vote finally being taken it was almost unanimously
passed.
The rumors that were circulated before this meeting was held
had reached Hartford, where the Zouaves were in camp, and
produced an unhappy effect upon some of the men. In the
Times of June 6th appears a card signed by nearly all the mem-
bers of the companj', headed by Lieutenant J. A. Betts, which
tells of the company being sworn in on the 27th, and that several
did not take the oath, alleging that the town would not provide
for their families. The news of the result of the meeting reached
them on Thursday, but these men left for home, having no valid
excuse for refusing to serve, and here they spread reports to the
detriment of the company. The card is to explain to the citizens
of Danbury the circumstances, and in scathing terms pays the
company's respects to the deserters.
Another instance of the growing patriotism of the children of
the town is remembered by the writer. The Centre District
School, then on the hill on Liberty Street, was a Union school
almost to a scholar. The principal was a Union man, and under
his direction the elder male scholars drilled every afternoon,
after school hours, in company movements. Mr. Harry Stone,
who lived near the school-house, offered to give the school a flag-
pole if the scholars would put up a flag. The offer was accepted,
and on June 14th the pole was raised, and a flag, eight by twelve,
for which every scholar had contributed something, from one
cent upward, was run up. Speeches were made by the clergy,
and the affair intensified the loyal feeling in every young heart.
During the interval from July to August 14th the excite-
HISTORY OF D ANBURY. 391
ment in Danbury was kept up by letters from the seat of war.
The files of the newspapers of that time contain letters from cor-
respondents, and these were as eagerly read as the others.
It was on July 21st, at Bull Run, that Danbury received its
baptism of fire in the war of the Union. All that day the regi-
ment was marched and countermarched in the multitude of
changes in position, and much of the time it was subject to a
severe fire from the enemy, but came out of that dreadful dis-
aster with scarcely a mark. The only loss the Danbury com-
pany sustained was the capture of two of its members, Alfred H.
Hoddinott and Isaac N. Jennings.
The Danbury Rifles also took an active i:>art in the tragedy of
Bull Run. The regiment was exposed to a severe fire, and
acquitted itself most creditably. From its ranks Danbury offered
her first living sacrifice. This was John R. Marsh, fourth ser-
geant of the company, a name that heads Danbury' s list of mar-
tyrs in the war for the Union. He was struck and kiUed by a
piece of flying shell. Private A. E. Bronson was made a pris-
oner, while remaining with Sergeant Marsh as a comforter and
friend. The same shell which killed Marsh wounded Lieutenant
Bailey slightly. These are the only casualties Danbury received
in this battle.
The Wooster Guards returned home on August 1st, their term
of enlistment having expired, and the 3d inst. saw a large gath-
ering in Nichols's woods in Great Plain District, which was a
reception tendered the Guards. A meeting was held there in
the afternoon at which Hon. Roger Averill presided. Rev. Mr.
Griswold made a touching prayer, and the glee club sang. Mr.
Richard Busteed, of New York, made a patriotic speech, and a
series of resolutions were offered and unanimously passed.
These resolutions embodied, first, the duty of the Government
to defend itself from external and internal foes by every means
in its power ; second, that the efforts of the present Government
to crush out the rebellion meets with the hearty apj^roval of the
meeting, and a mutual pledge be given of their lives, fortunes,
and sacred honor ; third, that while deprecating war, they de-
manded the vindication of the country's honor, and while desir-
ing peace they would offer no compromise. The fourth resolu-
tion we give in full :
" Resolved, That the patriotism exhibited by our fellow-towTis-
392 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
men of the Wooster Guards, in promptly tendering their services
in response to their country's call, and the gallant bravery ex-
hibited by them upon the field of battle, merits and receives our
hearty commendation, and we believe that the flattering notices
received by them from their superior officers have been fully
deserved."
The last resolution was a sympathetic one for the families of
those who had died for their country or been taken prisoners.
At the conclusion of the speech of Mr. Busteed Rev. Mr.
Townsend made a short speech about the loss of Sergeant Marsh,
of the Rifles, and read a letter from Captain Moore detailing the
circumstances of his death. At the close a contribution was
made for the family of the deceased, and $40 was raised.
Unexpectedly to most of the citizens of the town. Captain
Moore's company returned on August 14th in a heavy rain
storm. A movement was immediately started to give them a
hearty welcome, and on the 17th a picnic was held in the Oil
Mill Grove, at which there was a large crowd and a big supply
of eatables. A shower came up just after dinner, and the meet-
ing adjourned to Concert Hall, where the affair was concluded
with addresses by citizens and music by the Union Glee Club.
The shock of the defeat at Manassas had been received, and
the recovery was rapid. The enthusiasm which had lain dor-
mant since the Zouaves left awoke again. Military Hall was on
each evening a blaze of light, and B. F. Skinner and William
Moegling received authority to form a company for the Sixth
Regiment. Thirty men had already enlisted, many of them
being the old members of the Guards and Rifles. They were
drilled nightly in the hall, and new recruits, who came in daily,
were drilled as an awkward squad in one comer. Young
America took a hand in. The deep-silled window-fi-ames were
crowded nightly by the boys who came in, full of enthusiasm,
to witness the drills. They used to cheer any particular fine
movement, and when any new recruit signed the roll yeUs of
delight and encouragement came from the healthy lungs of the
boys.
On the evening of Monday, August 19th, a meeting of the
citizens was held in the Concert Hall, to further the enlistment
of this company, and to express the sense of the community on
the present state of affairs. The venerable Colonel Abram
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 393
Chicliester presided. Hon. Roger Averill made the principal
address of the evening, and Lewis S. Barnum, James S. Taylor,
and F. J. Jackson, of Danbury, and William A. Judd, of Bethel,
also spoke. Mr. Skinner closed the meeting with the suggestion
that the only way of compromise he advocated was the forma-
tion of another company, and then stated that the enlistment
roll could be found at Military Hall. A series of resolutions
were also offered embodying the following points :
First, the struggle into which our country is now plunged
demands the entire loyalty of all citizens and the vigorous prose-
cution of the war to a successful issue. Second, that until the
rebellion is overcome it is the duty of every citizen to lay aside
all local and minor differences, and unite in a full and enthusi-
astic support of the measures adopted for the victory of the Gov-
ernment. Third, that those who, in the present emergency, are
engaged in attempting to inflame the public mind against the
authorities should be severely condemned and their actions meet
with reprobation. Fourth, a hearty welcome is extended to the
brave defenders of the Union who have just returned : and while
welcoming them, sympathy is extended to the family of their
companion who gave his life nobly in defence of the country.
Fifth, that while regretting the imprisonment and captivity of
those who remained behind, we glory in their indignant rejection
of the terms of release offered them, which would deprive them
of the right to defend their country's flag again.
An incident occurred on August 24th which will ever be re-
membered by the participants and witnesses, among whom was
the writer. Part of the citizens of New Fairfield had erected a
peace flag on a pole in that town, and many Danburians, learn-
ing of it, went up to pull it down. The New Fairfielders, deter-
mined to protect their rights, gave battle, and there were
some wounds received. All kinds of weapons were used, shov-
els, pitchforks, etc. The Danburians returned without per-
foi-ming tlieh- object. Two days later Messrs. John and
David Cosier and Wilson Porter went up there, and after an
argument in which they convinced the indignant New Fair-
fielders of the impropriety of their actions, hauled down the
flag. It gave rise to considerable excitement in town, and a
local bard set forth the engagement in rhyme.
It was on the Wednesday following the New Fairfield affair
394 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
September 28th, that Captain Benjamin Skinner marched his
men through Main Street, escorted by an immense cavalcade,
and to the railway station, where a dense concourse of citizens
was awaiting the brave fellows who were about to leave. The
times were again growing exciting. It had been proved that the
strength of the rebellion was greater than was at first supposed,
and instead of crushing it out with the first seventy-five thou-
sand men which the President called for in April, it would take
a longer time and more men. The first to respond to the three
years' enlistment were the Zouaves, whose departure has been
chronicled. After they had gone, the three months' men re-
turned, and in this second company of three years' men were
many who had been upon the bloody battle-field at Bull Run.
The departure was signalized in a similar manner to the others.
Addresses were made by Elder Swan, of New London ; A. S.
Treat, of Bridgeport ; and William A. Judd, of Bethel. Rev.
Mr. Woolsey made the opening prayer. The company was made
up as follows :
Captain, Benjamin F. Sldnner.
First Lieutenant, Joseph S. Dunning.
Second Lieutenant, Thomas Hooton.
Sergeants : Theodore C. Wildman, Charles A. Benger, Henry
T. Broas, Augustus Staples, Andrew B. Nichols.
Corporals : John F. Morris, WiUiam Trumbull, Seth J. Crosby,
Eli D. Seeley, Darius A. Veats, Charles Gordon, John Ward,
Lewis A. Wygant.
Musicians : Lewis P. Bradley, Silas T. Atwater.
Wagoner, Charles Fitzsimmons.
Privates : George Adams, Thomas T. Alexander, James L.
Allen, Samuel P. Armstrong, Alonzo Austin, Edward Ayers,
George W. Banker, Theodore B. Benedict, James Ballard,
Charles H. Bevans, John H. Bishop, Francis E. Broas, Charles
Butcher, Oscar Byington, Charles Byxbee, John T. Byxbee,
Henry S. Cole, Warren Collomore, William Crofut, Byron Cros-
by, John Davis, Owen Dewenny, James Divine, John Doughton,
Charles C. Dolph, Joseph Eaton, Ebenezer Ellis, Joseph English,
Henry Erwin, William Fagan, Jerome Fairchild, Frederick A.
Felch, Philip Fortune, James Gelde, Abram Grimm, Seeley Hall,
William H. Hall, William Holly, John T. Holmes, James H.
Howard, Reed M. Howes, Eleazer Jones, Leonard Jones, Edwin
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 395
Judson, Robert L. Keith, Christian Kohlenberg, John Kenseller,
William H. Lessey, John Lahey, Samuel K. Lynes, Charles E.
Lyon, Charles F. Mehan, James Mehan, James Martin, Lewis
Martin, John F. Morris, William M. Memtt, John Mildem,
Edward Moffatt, Frank R. Nash, William W. Newman, William
Nichols, Bartholomew O' Brian, George Olin, Henry Parks,
George W. Raymond, John Roberts, Nathan S. Roberts, Orrin
K. Scofield, Charles S. Scott, Daniel R. Shelton, Oscar Smith,
William H. Smith, Asa Strickland, John C. Swords, Albert Van
Tassell, Wheeler J. Veats, Albert Walker, George B. Waterman,
Joseph Waterman, George Webb, William F. Webb, Charles H.
Weed, Isaac Weed, John D. Wilcox, Henry Williams.
On September 5th a call was issued for a meeting of the free-
men of Danbury " who are in favor of the Union and the per-
petuity of the Government, and who value the constitution and
laws of our common country as the most priceless inheritance
ever bequeathed by an honored ancestry, and who are in favor
of a vigorous prosecution of the war against a wicked and im-
provoked rebellion," to be held in Concert Hall on Saturday,
September 7th. This call was signed by E. S. Tweedy, John W.
Bacon, B. F. Ashley, John F. Beard, and over four hundred
other citizens irrespective of party. On that day, at two o' clock
in the afternoon, there were nearly one thousand people present
under the elms in front of Hon. F. S. Wildman's residence.
Hon. Roger Averill presided and made a patriotic speech on
taking the chair. His theme was the preservation of the Union
at all hazards. He introduced Rev. Samuel P. Seeley, of Albany,
who spoke for over an hour in an eloquent, patriotic strain.
D. B. Booth, Esq., presented a set of resolutions and a Pruden-
tial Committee was appointed.
Even at the time of the departure of Captain Skinner's com-
pany, which became Company D, Seventh Regiment, a new com-
pany was forming. On September 24th the new company elected
G. M. Southmayd Captain, S. G. Bailey First Lieutenant, and
C. H. White Second Lieutenant. This company, eventually
named Company A, of the Eleventh Regiment, left Danbury on
September 26th. It was a national fast day, and there was a
very large crowd at the cars to see them off and bid them good-
by. Keeping up the usages of the past, a large cavalcade
escorted them on their march. Impromptu addresses were made
396 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
by Messrs. Comstock, of Bethel ; L. S. Bamum and V. W.
Benedict, of Danbnry, and a gentleman named Bradford, of
England.
They were mustered in on November 27th, 1861, and immedi-
ately left for the front. The company roll was as follows :
Captain, George M. Soiithmayd.
First Lieutenant, Samuel G. Bailey.
Second Lieutenant, Charles H. White.
Sergeants : Henry J. McDonald, David B. Mansfield, Irving
Stevens, Nathan Cornwall, Knowles H. Taylor.
Corporals : Stansbury L. Barnum, Eben L. Bamum, Ira Tay-
lor, Christian T. Post, Thomas Payne, Franldin Clark, Michael
Eagan, George Cassidy.
Musicians : Jacob L. Dauchy, Sylvester C. Piatt.
Wagoner, Edwin Babbitt.
Privates : Peter W. Ambler, David Andruss, Norris W. Bal-
lard, Homer B. Barnard, Frederick Bassett, Samuel Bassett,
Samuel B. Buxton, John B. Beardslee, Philo P. Bradley, George
Bronson, Edward Burns, Lewis Carley, James Conboy, Edward
Confroy, Patrick Cotter, Romeo Crittenden, John Case, Elias
Cromwell, Edward Curtis, Sylvester De Forest, Samuel L.
Dibble, William W. Dickens, Edgar A. Eastwood, Charles
Edwards, Elijah Fields, Thomas Foley, Grandison D. Foote,
Aurelius Fowler, Edwin B. Gage, Rhomanza Gage, Anthony
Gilchrist, John P. Gillick, Clark Gorham, Daniel Gregory, Pat-
rick Green, William H. Hamilton, Clark Hamilton, Isaac H.
Hawley, John Hawkins, David A. Hoag, Edgar A. Hoyt, Will-
iam F. Hoyt., Henry E. Hurd, Patrick Lannon, William Leach,
Sylvester Lessey, Prentice A. Mallory, Joseph B. Mallory,
William Mantz, James Melvin, William Milson, Charles O. Mor-
gan, Orlando Morgan, Thomas Murphy, P. M. E. McGuinness,
John McJohn, Philo S. Pearce, Christian Quien, John Quien,
Aaron Robertson, Lorenzo D. Rockwell, Chauncey L. Rowland,
John Ryan, James Sands, William Savage, Theodore A. Smith,
Russell Smith, Isaac Smith, John H. Snifflns, Asa Stevens,
Edward Stevens, John C. Thompson, Orrin C. Turner, Charles
Turner, John Voorhees, Edward Walker, Benjamin Ward, Solo-
mon R. Wheeler, William H. White, Cyrus A. White, John B.
Winian, Theodore I. Winton.
The company went into camp in Hartford. On October 8th,
HISTORY OF DANBTJEY. 397
at a meeting of the company, they unanimously adopted the
name of " Averill Eifles," in honor of Hon. Roger Averill, of
Danbury. Mr. Averill highly appreciated the compliment, and
on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th, he presented the com-
pany with an elegant flag. There were from twenty-live to thirty
of the company present, under command of Captain Southmayd.
Concert Hall, where the affair was held, was packed with citi-
zens. The company marched, headed by martial music, to the
stage, where they were received by Mr. Averill. Mr. L. S. Bar-
num stated the object of the meeting, and then Mr. Averill ad-
dressed the Rifles. He welcomed them home on this day pecul-
iarly interesting to New Englanders. It was gratifying to him
to say, both from published statements and fi'om personal obser-
vation in camp, that the Rifles had earned the respect and con-
fidence reposed in them, and a rank among the most efficient
and best-drilled companies that had gone into camp in the State.
The speaker acknowledged the honor conferred upon him by the
company in selecting a name, and as a slight token of his appre-
ciation of the compliment he had procured the colors. Turning
to Captain Southmayd he handed them to him, and then again
addressing the company he charged them to guard it with zealous
care. " If, in the battle, the standard-bearer should be shot
down, let another brave man take it up, and with its folds wav-
ing over the heads of the company, lead them on to victory.
And should it be torn to ribbons, preserve as many of the shreds
as possible, bring them back, and when you come we will give
you such a welcome as never gi'eeted you before."
Captain Southmayd being unable to speak a loud word by
reason of a cold, Mr. L. S. Barnum responded for the company.
He spoke in a very complimentary strain of the Rifles, for he
had been two weeks in camp and knew what he had seen. The
colors were taken in charge by Color Sergeant Irving Stevens.
They were made of heavy silk, of regulation size, six feet by six
feet eight inches, embroidered with heavy bullion gold fringe,
and surmounted with two heavy gold tassels. On the top of the
staff was a gold eagle with outstretched wings. The flag went
with the company through the war, and was brought home with
them. Lieutenant Peter W. Ambler was appointed custodian
of the flag.
Among the members of the company was Mr. Grandison D.
398 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Foote. Mr. Foote was in the first company of three months'
men, and after retui-ning he went back to his trade of hatter in
the Pahquioque Factory. The departure of the Averill Rifles
was too much for him, and throwing down the implements of
his trade he enlisted in the same company. They had already
gone to Hartford, and there Mr. Foote joined them. On the
afternoon of his departure his fellow-workmen gathered together,
and Mr. WUliam Mansfield, in behalf of the men, presented Mr.
Foote with a Bible with $20 in bills between the leaves. The
Bible had embossed on the cover his name, company, and regi-
ment. Mr. Foote responded, and then left for the cars. As the
train passed the shop the whole force turned out, and he went
by amid the cheers of the crowd.
The Eleventh Regiment, of which Captain Southmayd's
company was a part, left Hartford on December 17th, and ar-
rived in New York on the same day. They were received by
the Sons of Connecticut, an organization composed of those
residents of that city who were originally from this State, and
were escorted to the barracks at City Hall Park, where the men
were sumptuously fed. The oflScers were entertained at the
Astor House.
On December 3d of this year, Andrew Knox, who had returned
with the three months' men, was duly authorized to raise recriiits
for the service. He immediately began the work, and in a very
short time had secured forty-five volunteers. With these he
reported at Hartford for duty on January 14th. They were
assigned to Company B, of the First Heavy Artillery, which had
then emerged from the Fourth Infantry. Nelson L. White was
the lieutenant-colonel of this admirable regiment. Knox was
made second lieutenant of the company, and was promoted
shortly after to be first lieutenant. The roll of these recruits,
who were assigned to Company B, was as follows :
Second Lieutenant, Andrew Knox.
Sergeant, Frederick Hubbard.
Privates : Charles H. Anderson, Daniel N. Andrews, Gran-
vUle W. Benedict, Henry Brown, Robert Brown, Patrick Clancy,
Joseph P. Dayton, Milo Dickens, James Fitzsimmons, Edward
Foley, Walter Grifiin, Thomas Hefren, William L. Hyatt, Jesse
L. James, Ichabod E. Jenkins, George D. Keeler, James McDer-
mott, Charles McDermott, John W. Miller, Alexander Miller,
HISTOKY OF DANBUKY. 399
James Muldoon, Charles P. Nettleton, Philip O'Rourke, Fred-
erick A. Osborn, Edward A. Osborn, William R. Potter, Samuel
M. Petit, Alfred Piatt, George M. Roff, Thaddeus Rooney,
G-randison Scott, Ely J. Sherwood, Thomas G. Sherman, Al-
son J. Smith, Walter C. Sparks, John Sweeney, Charles Shep-
ard, John C. Taylor, William Tillotson, Hiram Wood, George L.
Wood.
Dr. Eli F. Hendrick was an assistant surgeon in the First
Heavies, and was afterward transferred to the Fifteenth Regi-
ment Infantry.
The second year of the war opened quietly in Danbury. There
was little excitement. " All quiet on the Potomac" was the
general answer to questions as to the state of affairs. Occasion-
allj' little ripples of excitement would be caused by the return
of some crippled veteran discharged becaiase of wounds, or the
coming home of some sick soldier on a furlough to recuperate
among his friends, and to go back with renewed health,
energy and determination. There was a call for hospital sup-
plies, and mittens for the soldiers. The writer remembers that
in the Centre District School the scholars were allowed to
pick lint as a reward for good behavior. The mittens were
knit by the ladies, but as they had to have the forefinger sepa-
rate from the rest of the hand, few knew how to do the work.
Mrs. Eliza Botsford gratuitously taught all who came to her
for instruction. Then there was a loud call for stockings and
underclothing, and many a box filled Avith these articles went
out from Danbury.
A ladies' sewing society, organized for the purpose of prepar-
ing articles of clothing and hospital stores, did a big work for
the cause. Rev. G. M. Stone, pastor of the Baptist church,
went to Washington on a tour of inspection, and when he re-
turned he gave a lecture on his trip for the benefit of this society,
which netted them $24.
To relieve the monotony of the times the selectmen made a
draft on Monday, January 27th. Ninety was the quota of Dan-
bury, and the list drawn embraced the names of some of our
leading business men. A large proportion of these either were
excused, procured a substitute, or paid a fine of $10. These
drafted men were not to go into the army, but were for an active
State militia. The next week after the draft the selectmen
400 HISTORY OP DANBURY.
received an order from the Governor suspending further action
until the meeting of the General Assembly.
On Monday, February 17th, news of the capture of Fort
Donelson was bulletined in front of the telegraph office, and
crowds surrounded the board, reading -with glad faces the news
that the fort had been captured, together with fifteen thousand
soldiers and several rebel generals. It was not long before the
news was spread by the church-bells, and several pairs of en-
thusiastic hands were blistered by the rope of the First Church
bell. All the church-bells were rung, the factory whistles blew,
and even the little bell of the Liberty Street school-house rang
out the glad news. And as if these could not make noise
enough, the cannon was brought out and during the afternoon
was fired again and again.
In the evening an impromptu meeting was held in the rooms
of the Young Men's Christian Association. The President, Mr.
WiUiam Mansfield, Rev. G. M. Stone, Rev. A. N. Gilbert, Rev.
F. J. Jackson, Dr. Eli F. Hendrick, and others spoke eloquent
words of congratulation and pleasure.
In view of the encouraging news, Washington's Birthday was
celebrated with even more enthusiasm than ever before or since.
There was a meeting in Concert Hall in the afternoon, at which
addresses were made by the clergy and others, and in the even-
ing another meeting was held in the Disciples church, at which
Rev. I. L. Townsend read Washington's Farewell Address, and
Rev. A. N. Gilbert made a short speech.
Again on Monday, May 2d, news of the fall of Norfolk and
Portsmouth and the sinking of the rebel ram Merrimac made
the enthusiasm of our Danbury people break forth anew. Bells
were rung and cannon fired, and for days congratulations were
extended to each other. On June 5th A. H. Hoddinot and
I. N. Jennings, who had been in the hands of the rebels for sev-
eral months, having been captured at Bull Run, arrived home.
Their coming was the occasion of more excitement, and they
were warmly greeted and made to tell their experiences again
and again for the benefit of their friends.
The two weeks before July 1st were weeks of agonizing sus-
pense. McClellan was about to force the fight before Richmond,
and the people expected that he would be successful in captur-
ing the stronghold of the Confederacy. The result is well known.
Dam. I I'nulE, St> PhKST >AMI E1. l«hLI>l, IM 11.1
BriLDINB BVILT IN 1826 FOR BRANCH OP FAIRFIELD COUNTY BANK,
Now THE DaNBURY NATIONAL BaNK.
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 401
The failure disheartened the weak, but made stronger the strong.
President Lincoln on July 1st called for 300,000 more troops.
His call was supplemented by one from Governor Buckinghans
calling for the enlistment of six regiments in the State. The
call was received in Danbury with enthusiasm. A meeting was
held in the law office of Lieutenant-Governor Averill on the
evening of Wednesday, July 16th, and an address issued «s
follows :
" CITIZENS OF DANBURY, TO THE RESCUE !
"The people of our country have been called upon to add
300,000 soldiers to the Army of the Union. The enemies of ora-
Government are vigilant and active, and duty requii-es that they
should be met with vigilance and activity on our part. Already
the people of the State have arisen in response to the call, and
men and money are being bestowed with no illiberal hand. You
are asked to contribute your fathers, brothers, sons, yourselves to
this glorious work. With the proud record which Danbury pre-
sents, let it not be said that our patriotic old town is behind in
furnishing her share to push forward the column. To do this
our country needs fighting mkx, and for the purpose of assist-
ing to obtain them, our citizens will meet in Concert Hall on
Friday evening next at 7.30 o'clock. We know we need not
urge a full attendance.
" Gentlemen of distinction, among whom may be mentioned
Governor Buckingham, are expected to be present and address,
the meeting."
This address was signed by fifty-six representative men of the
town, among whom all parties were represented. It was no time
for an exhibition of party spirit. The darkest hour of the Re-
beUion was then at hand, and something more than the stagnancy
of the past six months must ensue.
The call was heeded. July 18th was a gala day almost. The
town was alive with people in the afternoon, and numerous resi-
dences were decorated with bunting, while every flag-staff car-
ried its flag. At nine o'clock a special train carrying some of
the prominent men of the town went down to Norwalk. There^
after a short waiting. Governor Buckingham was received and
introduced to the committee. They took the special train back
402 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
to Danbury. When they i^assed the Pahquioque Hat Factory
a cannon roared out its welcome, supplemented by the sten-
torian cheers of the small army of employes. In the afternoon
the Governor, with Lieutenant-Governor Averill and others,
visited Bethel, where a recruiting station had been for some time
opened.
In the evening Concert Hall was not large enough by half to
accommodate the crowd which had gathered in response to the
call.
When Governor Buckingham entered the hall leaning on the
arm of Lieutenant-Governor Averill, the thousand people packed
in that house, to a man, cheered and cheered again until from
very hoarseness they were obliged to desist. Mr. Averill was
called to the chau", and made a strong, patriotic speech in
thanking them for the honor. He was followed by the singing
of " My Country, 'tis of Thee," by the combined musical talent
of Danbury and Bethel. Rev. A. N. Gilbert, then pastor of the
Disciples church, made a speech, which for fervid eloquence and
masterful power, equalled anything ever heard in the old hall.
He was again and again interrupted with cheers. Another song,
and then Dr. Hill, of Norwalk, addressed the meeting. His
speech awoke many responsive throbs in the hearts of the au-
dience. The address of Rev. Mr. Hoyt, of Rochester, N. Y.,
who was at the time supplying the pulpit of the Baptist
church, was a mingling of pathos and humor, and closed with
the recommendation that the people praise God with leaden
bullets shot out of a gun as the old Covenanters' cannon praised
Him with its booming discharge.
The enthusiasm broke out anew when Governor Buckingham
arose. There was a deafening storm of cheers and cries, which
showed how warm a place the " War Governor" had in the hearts
of the people. He spoke of the crisis upon them. He said he
had come to Danbury for men, and the country must have them.
As the Governor closed it was evident that the audience realized
the importance of the occasion, and that his words had sunk
deeply into their hearts. He was followed by Rev. John Craw-
ford, whose remarks were to the effect that despondency was out
of place. A speaker had used the word defeated. He did not
like the word. We were not defeated, but would be conquerors.
He called on the men to come and the women to give them up.
HISTORY OP DANBURY. 403
He was cheered on closing. Rev. Mr. Clark, of New Fairfield,
and Hon. D. B. Booth also spoke. Mr. Booth offered a reso-
lution calling upon the selectmen to call a special town meeting
to provide for the families of volunteers and to authorize the
payment of bounties.
When the speaking was over there was a call for volunteers.
A tall man went forward. He had the typical military figure —
taU, slim, straight. He wrote his name on the paper presented.
It was the first name, and was read to the audience. It was that
of James E. Moore. The announcement of this name was re-
ceived with a storm of applause. Little did he who wrote it, or
those who cheered it, anticipate the tragedy that a year later
was to end his life. Other names rapidly followed, and the
first step for the formation of the Wildman Guards was taken.
The name was adopted in honor of our fellow-citizen, Frederick S.
Wildman.
During the enlistment of men at the meeting a gentleman in
the audience offered $25 for the next name. This was immedi-
ately taken up by others, and several made similar offers, show-
ing the liberality of our citizens. The meeting soon after closed
with three cheers for General McClellan, and it was by far the
largest and most enthusiastic meeting held during the war.
The company which began its formation at that time was com-
manded by Captain James E. Moore, and took the designation
of " C" in the Seventeenth Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers,
then being raised by this county, and the only distinctively
Fairfield County regiment recruited. Its headquarters were at
Bridgeport. August 28th it was mustered into the United States
service, and on September 3d it left the State for the front.
On the morning of July 28th Captain Moore left Danbury for
Bridgeport with fifty men, for this was only the first detach-
ment. Many were from Bethel, New Fairfield, Brookfield,
Ridgefield, and Newtown. Squads of men were sent each week
to the camp almost up to the date of their mustering into ser-
vice. We give the roll of the company as it left the State :
Captain, James E. Moore.
First Lieutenant, Milton H. Daniels.
Second Lieutenant, Henry Quien.
Sergeants : William 0. Dauchy, Robert S. Dauchy, August E.
Bronson, William L. Daniels, Bethel S. Barnum.
404 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Corporals : George Scott, Benjamin S. White, Edward S. War-
ren, Eli Lobdell, George Dickens, William E. Baldwin, Henry E.
Williams, Lewis A. Ward.
Musicians : Justin S. Keeler,' Horatio G. Jenkins.
Wagoner, Thomas McCorkell.
Privates : James M. Bailey, Charles Brotherton, Orrin L.
Bronson, Frederick H. Bussing, Charles H. Benedict, Charles S.
Benedict, John H. Benedict, WOliam E. Benedict, George F.
Bradley, David Bradley, Lewis Bradley, John W. Bouton,
George W. Barber, Jarvis F. Beers, Alfred Bennett, Frank J.
Benson, Theodore Blackman, Henry Booth, William H. Curtis,
William Curtis, Charles G. Curtis, William A. Clark, William B.
Clark, Samuel G. Clark, Amos C. Day, Samuel M. Downs, Smith
Delevan, Charles T. Delevan, Thaddeus S. Edwards, Charles Z.
Ferren, Leverett B. Fairchild, Alpheus B. Fairchild, Thaddeus
Feeks, Joseph I. Foote, Francis H. Ferry, Robert W. Fry, Rob-
ert Farvour, Frederick W. Goodale, John H. Grannis, John
/Ganung, Louis B. Griffin, John W. Holmes, William Hiimphries,
James A. Harmon, Ezra S. Hall, Oscar S. Jennings, Edgar L.
Knapp, James Kyle, Norman Kellogg, Phineas C. Lounsbury,
Theodore S. Morris, Joseph Maddock, John McCorkell, John
McHugh, Edward H. Northrop, William F. Otis, Lewis P.
Osborn, George S. Purdy, Daniel H. Purdy, Amos Raymond,
Rufus S. Rice, Patrick Ryan, Charles S. Small, George Sears,
Samuel G. Shepard, Ira Sherman, William H. Smith, Frederick
S. Smith, David F. Stillson, Horace E. Tomlinson, Richard D.
Taylor, Adam C. Williams, William H. Warren, Rufus Warren,
Charles H. Wilcox, John M. Walters, Joseph S. Whitlock,
Nephi Whitlock, Irenaeus P. Woodman, George L. Wood, George
W. Wood, Charles Wooster, Moses A. Wheeler.
The selectmen, in compliance with the resolution passed at
the war meeting on July 18th, called a town meeting for the
24th of that month. It was voted there to pay a bounty of $25
to any resident of the town who had then enlisted, or who should
enlist before August 20th, into the military service of the State,
under the recent call of the Governor.
On Saturday, August 30th, a large delegation from Captain
Moore's company came up from Bridgeport, and were met by
Captain Jenkins and his company, then forming, at the railway
station. They were escorted to Concert Hall, where a little cere-
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 405
mony was in store for them. This company being Danbury's
favorite— if Danburians can be said to have had any particular
favorites in the army during the war — the hall was crowded.
Marching to the platform, Captain Moore arranged his men in
line, and with Lieutenants Daniels and Quien stood in front,
ready for anything that might come. Lieutenant-Governor
Averill then stepped forward to the men, and in a few brief and
appropriate remarks presented to each of the officers a handsome
sword, in behalf of the citizens of Danbury. The recipients
responded feelingly, calling out the warmest expressions of
regard from the donors. The meeting then adjourned, and the
members of the company returned to their families until Mon-
day, when they went back to camp at Bridgeport, and left for
the front on the Wednesday following, September 3d.
Captain James A. Betts, of Company A, Fifth Regiment, was
home during the latter part of August recruiting his health from
the effects of his imprisonment, having been captured at the
battle of Winchester, May 25th, together with Isaac Rogers and
George Scott, of his company. Being a member of Union Lodge
No. 40, F. and A. M., the fraternity purchased a handsome
sword, which was presented to him at a lodge meeting Mon-
day evening, September 1st. He returned to the front soon
after.
Our citizens also about this time sent to Second Lieutenant
Theodore C. Wildman an outfit suitable to his office, he having
been promoted from Orderly Sergeant in place of Lieutenant
Thomas Hooten, killed.
Danbury filled her quota under the call for 300,000 more men
dated July 2d. Then came, on August 4th, the call for a draft
of 300,000 more. It was decided by the State [authorities that
volunteering could go on, however, and under this decision Cap-
tain James H. Jenkins began the enlistment of a company, which
was known as Company B, Twenty-third Regiment. This com-
pany was enlisted for nine months, unless sooner discharged.
The company left on a special train on Wednesday, September 3d,
for camp at New Haven, and on November 16th it left the State.
The muster roU is as foUows :
Captain, James H. Jenkins.
First Lieutenant, Frederick Starr.
Second Lieutenant, William B. Betts.
406 HISTORY OF DANBUR"?.
Sergeants : Henry I. Smith, Oliver R. Jenkins, Henry L.
Read, Charles B. Pickering, Azariel C. Fuller.
Corporals : John S. Thompson, John W. Hodges, Abel B.
Gray, Elias N. Osborne, Horace Bourell, David B. Hoyt, Edwin
Bamum, Robert S. Stratton.
Musicians : Joseph D. Bishop, George L. Smith.
Wagoner, John R. Smith.
Privates : Edward Armstrong, Oscar W. Ambler, John D.
Bell, Andrew Bell, Henry Barry, William E. Bailey, Joseph T.
Bates, George C. Bradley, George Ball, William E. Barlow,
Charles W. Crofut, Eugene Conklin, William E. Comstock, Theo-
dore Clark, Francis F. Clark, William A. Carlson, Edward
Cowan, William W. Downs, Frederick M. Dunham, George W.
Deforest, Egbert W. Gilbert, Edwin M. Griffith, Charles Green,
Reuben C. Hodge, Hiram H. Hodge, Charles H. Hoyt, Daniel E.
Hoyt, William P. Hoyt, Graham E. Hull, Edward A. Hine,
Henry Hawley, Clark Hawley, Hiram H. Hadden, George W.
Hoyt, James G. Hagan, Augustus Kinner, Michael F. Knapp,
John Knapp, Jr., Ira S. Knapp, Jacob Lehwald, Hiram Lock-
wood, William P. Mallory, Richard M. Murray, James L. May-
nard, Ira B. Manley, Lewis H. Northrop, John F. Noble, Benja-
min H. Peck, Burton L. Roseboom, John M. Raymond, Henry
B. Sturgis, William Smith, Theodore Sanf ord, Sylvester J. Scott,
Oliver E. Trowbridge, Reuben Tompkins, Henry B. Veats,
Oliver Wood, Frederick F. Wood, Abel M. Wheeler, Theodore
M. Wheeler, Edgar Wygant, Ezra G. Wildman, Charles B.
Waterman.
Soon after the departure of Company B, Company K was
organized, and left for the same headquarters on September
12th. Its muster roll is as follows :
Captain, Samuel G. Bailey.
First Lieutenant, Edwin H. Nearing.
Second Lieutenant, George Quien.
Sergeants : Charles H. Hart, Henry N. Fanton, Thomas Mac-
kay, Edwin Hodge, John Allen.
Corporals : Monroe Throop, Gilbert H. Campbell, Charles H.
Frank, Fred S. Olmstead, Ira W. Beers, Frederick C. Barnum,
Andrew Osborn, John H. Fanton.
Musicians : Charles D. Nicholson, Henry A. Buckingham.
Wagoner, James W. Hamilton.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 407
Privates : Henry Bayer, Elbert Barsley, Peter Bush, David
Barnum, Frederick A. Bennett, William H. Bunnell, William E.
Barker, George Bartram, James C. Croal, John A. Croal, Jolin
W. Crane, Michael Carmody, Martin Davis, David Disbrow,
Charles E. Disbrow, George Daines, Patrick Dunlavy, Henrj^
Daniels, Joseph E. Evarts, John C. Evans, Charles J. Fish, John
Gaffney, Selah Gage, Michael Haviland, Frank A. Hulslander,
Henry A. Hoyt, John Haberman, Russell Hatch, Philip Halpin,
Jacob H. Husk, George A. Jackson, Nathan S. Miller, Stephen
Monroe, Francis Mackay, Elnathan N. Mabie, Pliilo F. Mans-
field, Richard Morrison, Francis MacAuley, Robert McNabb,
Philander L. Perry, Henry Payne, George N. Peck, Sylvester C.
Piatt, Thomas G. Robinson, George W. Rogers, Samuel Steven-
son, Charles Sproal, George R. Selleck, Francis B. Smith, Fred-
erick W. Stevens, Hanson C. Smith, Orrin Serine, James H. Tay-
lor, George W. Truesdell, Henry B. Thomas, Lyman Taylor,
Abel C. Tracy, Cyrus Wood, Selah T. Wheeler, Joseph Willi-
mann, Ephraim G. Whitlock, George C. Whitlock, Lyman
Whitehead, Moses Wheeler.
Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Gregory, of the State militia, was
the adjutant of the regiment.
Interest in the operations of the Army of the Potomac was
intensified at this time by the return of Lieutenant-Colonel Nel-
son L. White, who delivered a lecture in Concert Hall on the
evening of September 26th, on the subject of his jDersonal experi-
ences. His remarks were earnest, impressive, and eloquent.
He alluded to General McClellan, then in command of that
army, in terms of highest praise, and his references were received
with unbounded enthusiasm. He closed by appealing to the
young men to enlist at this critical juncture of the war, and rec-
ommended the " First Heavies" in particular.
The evening following this lecture Concert Hall was again
crowded, Company B having come from New Haven for the
purpose of receiving a present of swords for their commis-
sioned officers. Lieutenant-Governor Averill was chairman.
Rev. S. G. Coe, of the First Church, opened the meeting with a
prayer, and then Rev. A. N. Gilbert made a lengthy speech,
after which he presented the swords to Captain Jenkins, Lieu-
tenants Starr and Betts, and to Adjutant Gregory.
Each gentleman responded appropriately, and after re-
408 HISTORY OF DANBUKY.
marks by Rev. Messrs. Stone and Robinson, tbe meeting
closed.
The departure of Company K, Twenty-third Regiment, closes
the record of Danbury's contributions to the army as companies.
The winter of 1862 and 1863 was uneventful. War and rumors
of war were the only exciting events which stu-red the sluggish
life of Danbury. Occasionally a soldier direct from the front
would come home to recruit his health, and over and over again
would tell his story of life in the camp or on the battle-field.
Anxious friends Avould inquire after the boys, and would be
disappointed if he did not know personally of the where-
abouts of each Danbury man in the army. The papers of that
time were filled with letters from the army, and many a heart
was made glad and relieved of a heavy burden by their publi-
cation.
On January 20th, 1863, news was received of the death of
Ijieutenant -Colonel Stone ; and on February 22d a memorial ser-
vice was held in the Baptist church for him who had ' ' fallen
on sleep."
In the early part of March Adjutant Samuel Gregory, of the
Twenty-third Regiment, came home, having resigned on account
of prolonged ill-health. Adjutant Gregory received from Col-
onel Holmes, commanding the regiment, a letter of thanks from
the boys for the constant care he exercised for the welfare of the
regiment, and expressing their sorrow that he was obliged to
leave them.
Captain Moore, Sergeant Bronson, William O. Dauchy and
Richard D. Taylor fell in the "baptism of fire" at Gettysburg,
and the Fourth of July, 1863, was a sad day for Danbury. Her
bravest and noblest sons had gone into this fight, strong in their
bright manhood, and had come out leaving many of their com-
rades dead or prisoners. The record of Captain Moore's com-
pany shows its loss in that fight to have been the most serious
sustained by any Danbury company in any one engagement.
The company went into battle with forty-four members. Of
these, eleven were killed outright or died shortly from the effects
of the wounds. Eleven were otherwise wounded, and eleven
were captured, leaving eleven survivors.
On July 27th a town meeting was called to make appro-
priations from the town treasury for the support of the fam-
HISTORY OF DANBUKY. 409
ilies of such persons as might be drafted and enter the service
of the United States Government under the draft ordered.
The meeting was largely attended. Hon. D. B. Booth occupied
the chair, and a resolution was offered providing that each man
drafted or providing a substitute should be paid from the treas-
ury of the town the sum of $300. This was not exactly the idea
of the meeting. This would enable any drafted man to pay a
substitute with the town's money. A substitute to this reso-
lution was offered, which we copy in full :
^^ Resolved, That the town treasurer be and he hereby is
authorized and directed to pay to the proper officer appointed to
receive the same the sum of $300, for each person di-afted from
this town into the service of the United States under an act of
Congress entitled ' An act for enrolling and calling out the
national forces and for other purposes,' provided such person is
not otherwise exempt from the provisions of said act ; or the
selectmen be authorized to draw an order on the same treasurer
for the sum of $300 for each man so drafted, and that all moneys
now in the hands of the treasurer or collector shall be paid upon
these orders, and are hereby appointed for that purpose.
'■'Resolved, That in case any person is drafted in accordance
with said act and shall volunteer for three years or during the
war, the treasurer of the town is hereby directed to pay to such
person the sum of $300, instead of paying the same to the officers
of the General Government for exemption.
" Resolved, That for the purpose of carrying into effect the
provisions of these resolutions, the selectmen of the town are
hereby ordered and directed to borrow a sufficient amount of
money upon the credit of the town for said pui-pose."
A question of legality was raised, and finally it was referred
to Mr. William F. Taylor, who said that his private opinion was
that the appropriation contemplated would not be legal. But
while the statute did not provide for such an act on the part of
the town, it contained nothing expressly forbidding it. Other
towns had made similar appropriations. The meeting then
decided almost unanimously to take the risks, and the votes were
passed.
For several weeks after this there was much discussion as to
the legality of the meeting, many claiming that the meeting was
attended and the votes passed by boys, non-voters, and strangers.
410 HISTORY OF DANBDRY.
Accordingly the selectmen called another meeting for August
29th. The Town Hall was crowded, and the meeting of great
interest. After expelling all non- voters from the room, it was
" Voted, That there be paid to each of such volunteers here-
after enlisting in the United service who are credited to the quota
of this town, the sum of $300, provided that the number of said
volunteers to whom said payment be made shall not exceed the
quota of men called for and due from this town during the pres-
ent war.
" Voted, That the selectmen be and they are hereby author-
ized to draw an order on the treasurer of the town for the sum
of $300 in favor of each man who shall be drafted from this town
into the service of the United States, under an act of Congress
entitled ' An Act for Enrolling and Calling out the National
Forces and for other Purposes' (and shall be sworn into the ser-
vice of the United States), or shall procure a substitute to the
acceptance of the Board of Enrolment.
" Voted, That a sum not exceeding $1000 be and hereby is
appropriated from the treasury of this town to be expended by
Edgar S. Tweedy, Waters P. Olmstead, Frederick S. Wildman,
and Orrin Benedict, at their discretion, for the purpose of sup-
plying the necessary wants of the families of such persons in
indigent circumstances as have died, or are now in their country's
service from this town, and the committee shall receive no com-
pensation for their services.
" Voted, That the selectmen be and are hereby authorized to
borrow such an amount of money as shall be necessary to carry
the foregoing votes into effect.
" Voted, That the selectmen be instructed not to draw any
orders on the treasurer under the votes passed July 27th, 1863."
On August 9th, 1863, its term of service having expired, the
Twenty-third Regiment left New Orleans, and arrived in New
Haven on the 24th instant. The two Danbury companies be-
longing to this regiment reached home early the next morning.
Owing to their unexpected arrival, no formal reception had been
prepared, but later a public welcome was given them in the form
of a picnic at the old camp-ground in Redding, now Putnam
Park. The attendance of soldiers was not so large as could have
been wished for — many were waiting in New Haven for their final
pay ; but there was a goodly representation from Danbury,
HISTORY OF DANBTJRY. 411
Bethel and Georgetown companies, and addresses were made by
Lieutenant-Governor Averill, Rev. A. N. Gilbert and Messrs.
Farnum and Judd, of Bethel.
For the benefit of the sick and disabled soldiers the ladies of
Danbury had always shown themselves interested. On Septem-
ber 9th and 10th a fair was held in Concert Hall by Danbury
ladies for this purpose, and the gross receipts, including money
contributed, were $1217.19. Of this $924.59 were net profit.
This sum was disposed of as follows : $700 were sent to the
United States Sanitary Commission in New York, and the balance
was contributed to the Soldiers' Aid Society of Danbury. This
society also held an entertainment in December, the prominent
feature of which was an old-fashioned kitchen. The net receipts
of the affair were $150.
In October Rev. E. C. Ambler, Chaplain of the Sixty-seventh
Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, was in town, and on the 25th
of that month the Methodist church was packed to hear his
story of prison life. It was a vivid, graphic, and truthful nar-
rative of his experiences while in the hands of the enemy, and
his sentiments of patriotism and loyalty were several times
applauded, despite the place and day.
The summer of 1863 passed in Danbury with nothing but the
draft and the battle of Gettysburg to relieve the strain on the
nerves of the people. There was no movement for recruiting, no
parades, no drills. The people quietly waited for the end,
which they were confident was now near at hand. Gettysburg
was pronounced the decisive battle of the war, and it was believed
that the South could not much longer present a resistance to the
Government forces.
On Saturday, August 29th, Captain G. M. Southmayd pre-
sented the sword he had carried when in service in the Eleventh
Regiment to Lieutenant John Snifiin, of that regiment. When
the captain resigned from the service he said to his men, in order
to stimulate them to the largest exertions in the line of duty,
that he would present his sword to the private who should first
receive a commission. Lieutenant Sniffin was in town on the
29th, and agreeable to promise, Captain Southmayd presented
him with the sword.
On Wednesday evening, September 30th, a public meeting,
largely attended, was held in Concert HaU, and was addressed
412 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
by Dr. Samuel T. Seelye, of Albany, a native of Bethel. His
subject was the " Condition of Our Country," and a very fruit-
ful topic it was at the time.
The most exciting event in the fall of 1863 was the draft. It
occurred in October, but it had been hanging over Danbury for
a long time, occasioning the liveliest kind of distress to many
people. The names were drawn by John Waters. The number
enrolled for the draft were 712. The number required were 215.
The drawing took place in Bridgeport, on Tuesday, October
13th, and the result was awaited with intense anxiety by our
citizens, but it was a misery that had plenty of company.
Of the 215 selected to do honor to the town in the struggle for
the Union, 120 were excused because of physical infirmity, or
being the support of parents or young children dependent upon
them, or getting a substitute, the last-named class greatly pre-
ponderating.
Four days after the draft, on the 17th, the President issued a
call for 300,000 more troops. This was a call for volunteers, and
was in addition to what had been conscripted or were to be
under preceding calls. A volunteer army was preferable to a
drafted force, and having shown the people that it was in deadly
earnest about getting troops, the administration believed enough
would volunteer and get a bounty rather than to run the chance
of being compelled to go without any compensation, to fill the
call.
But the call was a thunder-clap to Danbury, which had already
contributed so largely to the Union Army, and there was a fear
among those who had survived the draft that such difiiculty
would be met in filling the quota of the town with volunteers as
to necessitate another conscription.
The volunteering, which was designed for the benefit of the
depleted ranks of regiments already in the field, did not advance
with any degree of the desired rapidity, and on Wednesday
evening, December 15th, two months after the issue of Mr. Lin-
coln's call, a large assembly of our citizens took place in the
basement of Concert Hall, to devise means to hasten the enrol-
ment. L. S. Barnum was chosen chairman of the meeting,
which resolved to go to work to raise money for bounties, and
appointed Edmund Tweedy, James S. Taylor, and A. N. Sharp
to dispose of the fund to the best advantage.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 413
A committee of one in each school district was appointed to
solicit subscriptions, and the amount collected was $3670. At
this time some thirty volunteers had come forward, and it
was doubted if the above sum would be sufficient to induce
enough more to enlist to fill the town's quota under the call
before January 5th following, which was the limit for the same.
The remainder of the year 1863 passed quietly in Danbury,
inhere being little of war interest beyond the possible draft tran-
spiring in the village.
On October 9th six members of Company C, Seventeenth Regi-
ment, arrived in Danbury on a twenty-four-hour furlough from
Governor's Island. They were exchanged prisoners, captured
at Gettysburg, and were on their way to the regiment, then
located in South Carolina.
On Wednesday evening, December 9th, an entertainment was
given in Concert Hall for the benefit of the Soldiers' Aid Society,
and the amount netted was $150.
On December 20th the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society completed
its second year of existence, and made a report showing some-
thing of the work it had done. The report gives the following
list of articles gathered and sent in that time :
Twenty-nine large boxes of hospital supplies and six kegs of
pickles have been sent to the New York City branch of the
Sanitary Commission.
Two boxes of supplies and two kegs of pickles to the Colum-
bian Hospital, Washington, D. C.
One box of supplies to the Seventh Connecticut Volunteers,
Port Royal, S. C.
One box of supplies to the State Hospital, New Haven, Conn.
Two boxes of supplies to the United States Hospital at An-
napolis, Md.
The following is a partial list of articles sent : 3247 rolls of
bandages ; 110 pounds lint ; 93 bedquilts ; 605 cotton shirts ;
65 new woollen shirts ; 240 pairs cotton drawers ; 72 pairs new
woollen drawers ; 96 lander-jackets ; 69 dressing-gowns ; 171
sheets ; 316 piUow-cases ; 21 woollen blankets ; 601 pocket-
handkerchiefs ; 448 towels ; 98 woollen mittens ; 59 pairs slip-
pers ; 211 pairs cotton socks ; 110 pairs new woollen socks ; 80
coats, vests, and pants ; 182 pounds jellies ; 20 bottles of wine ;
50 pounds dried fruit, besides corn starch, soap, farina, broma,
414 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
wheaten grits, pincushions, reading matter, and many other
useful articles of which no special account has been kept.
The year of 1864 dawned unhappily upon Danbury. It is
doubtful if January, 1861, was more surcharged with gloom.
As intimated in the last paper the call for troops was not heartily
responded to. About everybody who thought he could go to
the war had gone. Volunteering appeared to be out of the
prospect entirely. The to^vn looked for its supply to fill the
quota and save drafting to the hiring of men at market prices.
The market price was beyond the reach of most people. In New
York $1000 was appropriated for each recruit. This had a bad
influence on the market here. A man who enlisted simply for
the money would take the highest price offered, of course, and
was not particular to count on the quota of Connecticut if he
could get more by enlisting from New York.
The effort of the town had been directed to raising a fund
sufficient to secure enough of these men to fill its quota. To this
end appeals through the local press were made to the citizens,
and canvassers were appointed to go about and solicit contribu-
tions from those liable to military duty.
Enlisting had been rather lively at the opening of December,
but it died out materially before the month closed, and during
the first week in January there were but twenty enlistments in
the district embracing the counties of Fairfield and Litchfield.
The quota of Danbury, as estimated at this juncture, was one
hundred. Up to that time forty names had been secured, leav-
ing sixty to raise. And the prospect for getting them and sav-
ing another draft looked exceedingly slim. It was almost im-
possible to secure substitutes at any price, and the fund the
town held did not warrant paying a very high price.
On January 5th, the limit of the time provided wherein the
State should pay $300 bounty to every volunteer expired, but
Governor Buckingham issued a proclamation on the 2d extend-
ing the time to the 15th.
On January 14th a town meeting was held to accept and pay
the amounts expended in securing volunteers under the call of
the October preceding. The bill presented was $2899. It was
referred to an auditing committee, who reported at a meeting on
the eighteenth which voted to pay the same.
The expenses to the town for the sixty volunteers that had
HISTORY OF DAKBURY. 415
been so far obtained under the last call was at the rate of
nearly $50 a man. This was in addition to the State and national
bounties.
On February 1st there came another call for 200,000 more
men, to be got by draft if not filled on March 10th following.
How much disti'ess this intelligence added to what already ex-
isted our readers can imagine.
In the first week in March the Adjutant-General of the State
visited Washington to examine the records of the War Depart-
ment as relating to the contributions to the armies from this
State, and on comparing them with his own made the gratifying
discovery that Connecticut was entitled to 1000 more men than
it had been credited with. This not only made up its deficiency
under the last calls, but left a small surplus over to be credited
to those towns which had more than filled their quotas. This
did not relieve the towns which had not tilled their apportion-
ment from the possibility of a draft, but it staved off the prob-
ability. As Danbury was one of these it breathed freer in the
first week of March than it had expected to.
The spring of 1864 passed quietly in Danbury. There was
less of military movement, and consequently less of excitement
than during any spring of the war. The draft that had been so
long dreaded did not take place. It was called for March 10th.
On that date Danbury had secured in recruits and the previ-
ously drafted or their substitutes 160 men. The quota of the
town was 176, and there were but 16 to secure to fill the quota.
These were obtained shortly after by volunteering.
The month of June opened lively in the matter of enlistments.
There was an impending call for more troops.
On Monday evening, the 13th, a meeting was held to devise
means to raise volunteers. It was a matter of some doubt at
this juncture as to the condition of the town toward its quota.
If the re-enUsted volunteers were credited to the towns whence
they originally went, Danbury would have an excess over the
past quota of forty-six, which would apply to its apportionment
in the coming call. If they were not thus counted for the towns,
but applied on the State at large, then the town would be forty
behind. It was subsequently settled that the re-enlisted men
should apply to the town.
The meeting was largely attended. A committee of five were
416 HISTOKT OF DANBURT.
appointed to devise means for filling the quota on the last and
impending call. The number enrolled at this time was 1147.
The committee recommended that an appropriation be made
for the securing of volunteers, and a vote was passed author-
izing the selectmen to borrow on the credit of the town, at not
over 6 per cent interest, a sum not to exceed $5000, to be appro-
priated by them in paying the expenses in filling the qiiota of
the town under the anticipated call of the Government.
On July 4th the dreaded proclamation was issued. It called
for 500,000 men. Fifty days were allowed to fill this call by
volunteering. All deficiency after that limit was to be made up
l)y drafting.
Under the call Danbury's allotment was 215 men. Deducting
a surplus of 48 men, in excess of past quotas, there remained
168 men to be secured.
On Saturday, July 30th, a town meeting was held to further
arrange for the enlistment of men. Several resolutions were
presented, but only one was acted upon, and that was rejected.
The resolution in question appointed a committee to ensure ex-
emption, at the expense of the town, to every man subject to
the draft who shall pay into the town treasury the sum of $50.
The meeting adjourned one week for a further consideration
of the subject. At this meeting two votes were adopted. The
first authorized the selectmen to fill the quota in the way
deemed best ; the second empowered them to bon-ow such sums
of money as they found necessary to carry out the provisions of
the first vote.
One week later the selectmen decided to pay $300 to the family
of each volunteer or substitute, or to the man himself if he had
no family.
On Monday, August 22d, a third town meeting in the interest
of the momentous subject of filling the quota was held. In this
gathering definite sanction was given to the paying of bounties,
and the bounties themselves were defined. It was voted to pay
every man who enlisted for one year the sum of $500 ; to every
man who enlisted for two years, $600 ; and to every three-year
volunteer, $700. It was further voted to empower the selectmen
to borrow a sum not to exceed $100,000 to pay these bounties,
and was still further voted to appropriate $10 for the expense of
conveying each recruit to the place of rendezvous.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 417
It will be seen by this record of several town meetings how
the approach of the draft stimulated the zeal of citizens, and
opened the town's pocket.
Owing to this liberal action of the town, volunteering started
up with spirit, and on Monday, September 12th, the quota was
filled and the draft averted.
On Saturday, the 17th, a town meeting was held to provide
for anticipated Government calls for troops, and it was voted
that the selectmen recruit one hundred more men. At a sxibse-
quent meeting it was voted to furnish substitutes for those who
jiaid into the treasury $100, and loaned the town for six years
on interest the amount required to secure such substitute.
This ends the record of 1864. With the exception of the fight
against the draft, which was certainly lively enough, the year
passed in Danbury in a remarkably quiet manner.
The last year of the war opened dully for Danbury. Through
the month of January there was absolutely nothing happening
either here or in the field to stir the sluggishness of the village.
The first ripple came on February 1st, with a statement from the
agents appointed by the town to secure volunteers.
On the last call by the President for troops the quota of Dan-
bury was figured to be about 130. The agents reported on Feb-
ruary 1st that they had secured 40 recruits and 10 substitutes.
Besides this number there was a surplus of 12 from the call
which preceded the last, making a total of 62. This would leave
a balance of 68 to obtain to fill the then determined quota. The
recruits cost $143.65 each.
In the town meeting on the 22d of the preceding August very
large bounties were voted to encourage enlistments. On Feb-
ruary 13th another meeting was held, and it was voted to in-
crease the bounty for two years' and three years' men $50 beyond
the sum fixed at the August meeting. Resolutions were pre-
sented at the same meeting to give each drafted man who served
$800, and $500 to each man who furnished a substitute. The
former was tabled for future action, and was adopted at a meet-
ing held on the 18th. The latter was rejected.
Whether it was in the natural order of war events, or
whether it was the act of the Danbury town meeting in
generously putting forth such immense bounties, will never,
perhaps, be known, but it is true that almost immediately
418 HISTORY OF DANBUBY.
after this meeting the South showed marked evidences of col-
lapsing, and a few weeks later the break began in the surrender
of General Lee's army. Those who might have enlisted for
three years and received the $750 bounty would have had no
service in the field, and it is not likely they would have had to
leave the State.
No more army movements were made in town. The drum-
ming up of recruits, the fighting between the taxpayers over the
bounties and other accessories to recruiting, the appeals to
patriotism — all died away and became entirely lost.
Saturday morning, April 15th, the news of the assassination
of President Lincoln was received liere, and brought the same
shock it carried to every community in the North. The bells
of the churches were solemnly tolled. Flags were draped with
crape and hung at half mast, and many places of business and
residences put on mourning before the day closed.
The next evening, Sunday, the congregations of the several
churches assembled in the First Church, and addresses com-
memorating the virtues of the dead man and mourning his loss
were given by the clergy.
At the hour of the funeral in Washington, at noon Wednes-
day, the 19th, the jjeople of Danbury were called upon by the
warden of the borough, J. Amsbury, to put their places of busi-
ness and residence in mourning, so far as was possible, and to
close all places of business from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., which was
done.
A funeral service was held at the First Congregational Church,
and Bishop Williams conducted a special service at St. James'
Church.
Although the war was now virtually ended, there was much
work yet to do by the troops, and it was not until the middle of
the summer that the regiments in which Danbury had companies
began to return. No public demonstration greeted them as they
straggled home, but each found a hearty welcome awaiting him.
In all the towns of this suffering, enduring, brave little State,
none present a grander war record than does Danbury. From
the hour when the shame put upon Sumter thrilled her loyal
heart, she never faltered in the way once set before her, and
from out the tears that fall for those who, in the shock of battle,
went the royal road to death, she looks with grateful pride
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 419
upon the work so nobly wrought, and lays thereon her earnest
benediction.
PERSONAL MENTION.*
Lieutenant-Colonel Stone.
Henry Burton Stone was born in Troy, N. Y., on December
2d, 1827. He was resident in Bethel in 1847, and having a taste
for military affairs, enlisted on August 19th of that year as a
private in Company B, Ninth Infantry, United States Regulars.
By strict attention to duty he soon gained the rank of Orderly
Sergeant. He served in the Mexican War, and was wounded,
though not seriously, at the battle of Chapultepec. On return-
ing from the field he once again entered the peaceful pursuits of
life, and continued in these until the breaking out of the Civil
War.
In June, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Fifth Connecticut
Volunteers, and was mustered into service as Captain on July
22d of the same year. His promotion to the rank of Major fol-
lowed on October 23d, and on July 12th, 1862, he was made
Lieutenant-Colonel. He was wounded at the battle of Cedar
Mountain, on August 9th, 1862, and taken to Delevan Hospital,
at Charlottesville, Va., where he died on January 20th, 1863,
and was buried on Virginia soU. Loved by many, respected
by all, he has left a spotless record of bravery and honor.
Lieutenant-Colonel Moegling.
William Christian Moegling was born in Stuttgart, capital
city of the Kingdom of Wiirtemberg, Germany, on October 30th,
1834. He came to America early in 1854, and to Danbury in the
autumn of 1857. At the outburst of the Rebellion he was one
of the first to offer his services, and went to the front with Com-
pany A, of the Connecticut Volunteers. After the battle of BuU
Run he wanted the company to take a vote to stay untU the war
should be ended, but it refused. Mr. Moegling was Sergeant
when mustered out of service.
When new regiments were formed the Adjutant-General in
Hartford told Mm that if he could enlist a company he should
* The military record of Lieutenant-Colonel White will be found in the History
of the Bar, Chapter XXXVI., and that of William C. Bennett, M.D., and E. F.
Hendrick, M.D., in Medical History, Chapter XXXVII.
420 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
be given the command of it. In two weeks the quota was mus-
tered in at Hartford, with Mr. Moegling as Captain. This was
Company C, the banner company of the Eleventh Regiment,
under command of Colonel Kingsbury.
After the battle of New-Berne, N. C, Mr. Moegling was pro-
moted Major. At the battle of Antietam he was wounded and
came home, but went again to the front, just in time to take part
in the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., where he was sUghtly
wounded.
In 1863, the two years' time of the regiment being expired, he
was stationed in New Haven as mustering officer, after which
he went at the head of his old regiment, the Eleventh Connecti-
cut Volunteers, for a three years' stay. From this time the regi-
ment had hard service, and was engaged in a number of battles,
of which the light at Cold Harbor was most severe. At a later
engagement his foot was struck by a piece of shell, when he
went to the hospital, where he sickened with fever and was
brought to Danbury, where he died on his thirtieth birthday,
October 30th, 1864. He was buried with all military honors.
Captain Moore.
James E. Moore was born in April, 1820, at York, Pa., of a
line of patriots. When the war cloud arose upon our Southern
border, he enlisted in April, 1847, at Cincinnati, in the Fourth
Ohio Volunteers, and as color-bearer served until the close of
the Mexican War.
A resident of Danbury at the commencement of the Civil War,
he raised a company which joined the Third Regiment Connecticut
Volunteers for three months, and formed a part of the few heroic
souls who did something to redeem the disastrous day at Bull
Run, for they stopped at Centreville and came back to Washing-
ton as a company, saving, in connection with their regiment, a
large amount of Government property. His short term of ser-
vice having expired, he returned home.
In the summer of 1862 Captain Moore raised a company who
enlisted for three years as color company in the Seventeenth
Regiment Connecticut Volunteers. Requesting to be sent to
the front from the monotonous garrison duty at Baltimore, he
was stationed at Thoroughfare Gap, in the Virginia Mountains,
where, owing to exposure, many of his men became Ul. His
HISTORY OF DANBUKY. 421
constant devotion to them won for liim the endearing title of
the " father of his company."
At Chancellorville this company formed a part of the Eleventh
Corps, and after following the enemy through unparalleled
marching achievements they overtook Lee at Gettysburg, and
immediately went into battle. The Seventeenth Connecticut
Volunteers was the first regiment of the Eleventh Corps sent
forward as skirmishers, and met with courage and steadiness the
fierce attack of the foe. Captain Moore fell while rallying his
men on July 1st, 1863. His remains were sent home and buried
with all honors, the vast concourse at the funeral attesting the
high place he filled in the esteem of his feUow-citizens.
Captain Starr.
Samuel Starr, of the Third Missouri Eegiment, was buried
from St. James' Episcopal Church on April 4th, 1864, with mili-
tary honors.
Captain Hall.
Henry C. Hall, of the Eighth Regiment, was killed at Peters-
burg, Va., and buried from the Methodist Church in Danbury,
on Sunday, July 24th, 1864. Military honors.
Captain WJiite.
Selleck L. White, of Long Ridge, was killed at Deep Bottom,
Va., and buried with honors from his home in Long Ridge on
September 11th, 1864.
Lieutenant Stevens.
Jesse D. Stevens was born in England, August 3d, 1831 ; came
to America when only three years old, and passed most of his
life in Danbury. He was Lieutenant of the Wooster Guards,
and largely instrumental in enlisting that company. His health
broke down after he had been vsdth the army for three months,
and he was obliged to return home, greatly to the distress of his
loyal spirit.
At the time of his death on June 20th, 1889, he was Secretary
of the Knight Templars, Treasurer of the International Hatters'
Association, and one of the selectmen of the town ; also a mem-
ber of James E. Moore Post, No. 18, Grand Army of the
Republic.
422 HISTOET OF DANBURY.
Lieutenant Hooten.
Thomas Hooten was killed at the battle of James Island, S. C,
on June 16th, 1862. On July 7th memorial services were held
in Danbury, at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation, of which he was a member, and suitable resolutions of
sorrow and sympathy were passed.
Lieutenant Starr.
Frederick Starr was born December 16th, 1819. He enlisted
in the Civil War, and was wounded at the battle of La Fourche
Crossing, in Louisiana, about three days before his death, which
occurred on June 24th, 1863.
Lieutenant Stevens.
S. S. Stevens, of the Sixth Regiment, was killed at Fort Wag-
ner, in July, 1863. His remains were brought to Danbury the
following Js'ovember, and buried from the Universalist Church
with military honors.
Lieutenant Umerstone met death in Virginia, and was buried
in Danbury, October 29th, 1864.
Dr. Joseph Williman, Surgeon of the Twenty-third Regiment,
was buried from the First Congregational Church on November
9th, 1863.
Sergeant Marsh.
John Marsh was a native of England and served in her army
during the Crimean War. This experience and his knowledge of
military matters enabled him to render efficient service in drill-
ing recruits. It is generally conceded that he was the first Con-
necticut soldier killed in the war. He fell in the battle of BuU
Run, on July 21st, 1861. He was noted for his bravery, and be-
loved by all.
George E. Ives.
George Edward Ives, the son of George W. and Sarah H. Ives,
was born in Danbury, August 3d, 1845. He early exhibited a
marked taste for music, and received a thorough musical educa-
tion in New York, graduating in June, 1862. At that time,
though only seventeen years of age, at the request of Colonel
HISTORY OF DANBUBY. 423
Nelson L. White, he raised among his German musical acquaint-
ances in New York the Connecticut Volunteer Band. With the
First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, under General Tyler, this
Volunteer Band, under the leadership of Mr. Ives, went into the
war, and remained unbroken until mustered out at the close of
the war, when Mr. Ives returned to Danbury, where he resided
until his sudden death on November 5th, 1894. At that time he
held the positions of Cashier and Director in the Danbury Sav-
ings Bank, of which his father was one of the founders.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
MONUMENTS.
Dedication of Wooster Moniiment.
On April 27th, 1854, was unveiled and dedicated the Wooster
Monnment. Early morning saw the streets filled with people,
and from every avenue of approach new crowds appeared anx-
ious to participate in honoring the memory of General Wooster
by the dedication of this monument commemorative of his mili-
tary services.
Ten thousand people were in the town, and many dis-
tinguished visitors, among them Governor Pond, ex-Governor
Cleveland, Mrs. Sigourney, the poetess, and Hons. Charles
Chapman and Thomas B. Butler. The military was represented
by five companies and many prominent officers. Revolutionary
soldiers were present in the procession. The Masonic fraternity
was, of course, in the majority. Forming the column at the
corner near the Wooster House, they were marched down Main
Street, and countermarched through several side streets to the
cemetery.
At the south gate the procession, which consisted of four
divisions, halted. The first division, composed of military,
opened ranks, and the Governor with his staff, the distinguished
guests, and the Masonic bodies marched through and up to the
monument. Here the ofiicers of the Grand Lodge formed around
the stone, and an ode composed for the occasion was sung. Rev.
Brother Willey, Grand Chaplain, made a prayer, and then the
Grand Master ordered the Grand Treasurer to make the deposits
in the box.* The Grand Secretary deposited the box in the
* The contents of the box were a Bible ; copies of the United States and State
Constitutions ; Journal of the last (Jeneral Assembly ; Masonic Grand Lodge report ;
names of State officers and members of the General Assembly ; co])}' of the speech
of Hon. John Cotton Smith in the House of Representatives, during the passage of
the resolution making an appropriation for the monument ; pieces of American
HISTORY OF D ANBURY. 425
stone, and the stone was let down, while an ode to Masonry was
sung. The Grand Master next received from the Master Archi-
tect the proper tools and applied them in ancient form, and the
contents of the gold and silver vessels were poured upon the
stone, after which the Grand Master invoked the Divine blessing,
to which all responded Amen. The contents of these vessels
were corn, wine, and oil, signifying peace, health, and plenty.
After the stone had been struck three times with the gavel, the
brethren present gave the grand honors, three times three. The
Grand Secretary then waited upon the Governor and informed
him that the chief stone of the monument had been laid and
awaited his inspection. David Clark, the Grand Master, made
a short address upon Masonry, which was responded to by the
Governor at some length. The procession then reformed and
marched to the First Congregational Church, when Brother
Henry C. Deming delivered the oration.
The church was crowded to its utmost capacity, and then the
audience composed but a small portion of those who wished to
hear the speech. At its close the procession marched to the
Wooster House, where a dinner was served in the pleasant green
dooryard of that day, which only a "green memory" of tlds
day can reproduce or a vivid imagination picture.
On the summit of the gentle slope near the entrance of the
cemetery stands the monument unchanged, looking out over the
city. This monument, entirely of brown freestone, stands on a
solid platform about twenty feet square ; at the corners are mas-
sive stone posts which support an iron railing. The plinth is
richly moulded, with the name of Wooster in raised letters upon
the south side. A finely sculptured relief represents the General
as falling from his horse at the moment he received the fatal ball.
Above this the arms of the State appear, and higher still the
main shaft is ornamented with a trophy consisting of sash,
sword, and epaulettes. On the opposite side are appropriate
coin ; Continental bills ; a daguerreotype of General Wooster ; the bullet by which
he was supposed to have been killed ; copies of the New York Tribune, Herald,
Times, and Danbury Times ; documents from the New York Deaf and Dumb Insti-
tute. There is some doubt concerning this bullet. When the supposed site of
Wooster's grave was opened, a bullet was thrown out with the bones. Some people
to-day claim that this bullet was carried there, dropped, and then picked up to
prove (?) the grave of Wooster authentic. It has since been removed from the box
and sent to Hartford to be preserved among the historical relics of the State.
426 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Masonic and military emblems. The whole is surmounted with
a globe on which stands the American eagle bearing in his beak
the wreath of victory.
Early in the evening of this day a terrific storm broke over
the town. The rain fell heavily, and, added to the large quan-
tities of snow upon the ground, caused a freshet such as had
never been seen here before. The dam of Oil MUl Pond was
carried away, and with it two other dams. A factory used as a
comb shop, the dam at White' s fur factory, and one at what is
now known as Hurlbutt's Pond were broken away. A portion
of the dam connected with the factory of Wildman & Crosby, on
Main Street, was swept away, and the bridge on Main Street was
partially destroyed. The bridge crossing the river below was
taken away, but the " Barn Plain" bridge, afterward destroyed
by the Kohanza disaster in 1869, withstood the combined attacks
of the waters and the floating timbers.
The comb shop of A. T. Peck was swamped. The railway
bridge, just below him, remained on three legs, and here was
lodged the upper story of the bridge which had been near the
old carriage factory. From this point to South Norwalk there
was but one uninjured bridge. The track was washed badly,
and it was ten days or more before trains ran over it regularly.
At Beaver Brook the water cut away the embankment on the
east side of the dam at the old grist mUl, and from this point
on Still River to the Housatonic, every bridge was swept away.
The stream across West Street, near Benedict & Montgomery's
factory, was swollen beyond all precedent, but by well-directed
efforts the factory was saved from destruction, though the foun-
dation walls on one side were laid bare and undermined, and a
channel some three yards wide and eight feet deep was ploughed
out.
The Soldiers' Monument.
As early as 1862 the project was started. It may seem strange
to us at this day that a monument to commemorate the fallen
soldiers in the war for the Union should have been suggested
before the war was one fourth done, but at that time the close
of the war seemed drawing nigh and the dawn of peace at hand.
The project was of the women of Danbury, and they worked
faithfully for its completion, despite the pressure upon them of
other cares and duties incidental to that critical time in our his-
HISTORY OF DANBURT. 427
tory. We who in a time of peace, with the channels of business
unclogged, have seen how difficult it was to raise additions to
this fund, can comprehend in some degree the magnitude of this
task. Through the year the association gave a series of enter-
tainments to raise a fund, and netted therefrom the sum of
$1070.94. The amount was invested by William H. Tweedy,
who in 1873 turned it over to the association with accumulated
interest, making the total amount $1901.18.
Two years passed without any special action being taken. In
October, 1875, Charles H. Merritt was elected president of the
association, and three trustees were chosen, these being Lyman
D. Brewster, Mrs. Theodore T. Tweedy, secretary and treasurer,
and Miss Elizabeth WUdman. These trustees invested the
money in the Danbury Savings Bank.
In April, 1878, the matter was again revived ; the trustees
reported the fund to be at this time $2183.28, and contributions
were solicited from the public. At this time a discussion was
begun as to the site for the monument, the two locations being
Concert Hall Square and the cemetery. This discussion was
continued for some time in the columns of the News, and on
Thursday evening, May 9th, a public meeting was held in the
Grand Army of the Republic Hall, when the two parties pre-
sented their views. In July committees from the association and
the Grand Army of the Republic voted that all contributors
should give their preference for the site with the sums donated.
The result was not satisfactory, nor was that attained through
other channels. As a final result, a borough meeting was called
at which a request for necessary space for the monument in Con-
cert Hall Square was submitted. The vote was to determine the
site. If the request was rejected, the monument would be placed
in the cemetery.
A year later, in 1879, a meeting was held, and the space in
Concert Hall Square was appropriated with but one dissenting
vote. On April 1st of that year a design for the monument was
received from Carpenter & Raymond, of Dayton, O., and was
accepted on July 1st at a price of $3500.
On May 30th, 1879, a committee of citizens was appointed to
act with the Monumental Association, and on March 17th, 1880,
the committees announced the fund to be complete. Danbury
was gay with flags and colors on May 27th, 1880, the day set
428 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
apart for the unveiling of the Soldiers' Monument. The president
of the day was Hon. Roger Averill ; the marshal of the day was
General James Ryder. Among distinguished guests present were
Governor Charles B. Andrews and staff ; Generals Harland, Wes-
sells, Sloat, and FuUer ; Colonels Dean, Morse, Coe, and Fox ;
Major Swan, ex-Secretary S. D. Stanton, General Smith, brigade
commander, with his staff ; Major-General Couch, ex-Governor
Miner, Treasurer Baker, Hon. David Clark, Judge A. B. Beers,
and the department officers of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Visiting posts were from Bridgeport, Norwalk, South Nor-
walk, Stratford, Sandy Hook, and Winsted. Water Witch
Hose Company, of New MUford, was also present. The proces-
sion contained one thousand men. It made a fine appearance
with waving banners and marching to the martial music of the
various bands.
After reaching the monument the troops were massed around
it, every available spot in the neighborhood being thronged with
expectant crowds. Prayer was offered by the Rev. A. C. Hub-
bard, after which the monument was unveiled by Miss Minnie E.
Moore, daughter of Captain James E. Moore, of Danbury, who
fell at the battle of Gettysburg. Governor C. B. Andrews made
a short but stirring address, after which Mr. Averill introduced
the orator of the day, Hon. Samuel Fessenden, who delivered a
glowing oration.
In the evening exercises were held at the Opera House, when
an address was given by James Montgomery Bailey, the greater
part of which the reader will find woven through his report of
the CivU War.* Mr. W. A. Croffutt was the poet of the even-
ing, filling this position in an altogether satisfactory manner.
The singing of the ' ' Battle Hymn of the Republic" ' closed one
of the eventful days in Danbury's history.
The details of the day, addresses, oration, and poem will be
found in the Danbury News of date May 27th, 1880.
* The following is from the description of the day, written by Mr. Bailey in his
own style for the News : "As early as Tuesday the hammer of the decorator was
heard in the land, and the effect to-day in the bright sunlight is fine indeed. Yester-
day afternoon the man of the house with the hammer, and his wife with advice,
began to be real busy, and as early as five o'clock this morning they were at work
again. When the procession passed, the man, with his thumb in a rag, and the
woman, clad in a cool muslin, stood out at the front. This is the difference between
a hammer and advice."
Mrs. M. M. fnoFFix.
Mrs. Frederick S. Wii.dman.
Mrs. Thei.i.ork S. Tweed
Mrs. EnciAK S. Tweedy.
HISTORY OF DANBDEY. 429
This monument is of Westerly granite, and is thirty-two feet
in height. It is a circular column resting upon six pieces, con-
sisting of lower base, plinth, mould, die, cap, and column mould,
which make a combined height of ten feet. The column is
twelve feet high, with a diameter of twenty-six inches ; the cap
surmounting the column is two feet, and upon this stands the
figure of a soldier five feet, eight inches high, bearing a flag in
his right hand, while against his left side rests a cavalry sword.
This figure is of Italian marble, and was carved in Italy.
On the die facing Main Street is the following inscription :
" To Our Brothers,
Beloved, Honored, Revered,
Who Died that
Our Country might Live."
On the West Street face we read :
" The Defenders
of
The Union."
The shaft is encircled with a band on which are engraved the
names of battles, as follows : " BuU Run, Wilderness, Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, ChanceUorsville, Appomattox,
Petersburg, Port Hudson."
Monument to the Heroes in Unknown Graves.
Near the entrance of the beautiful Wooster Cemetery stands a
fine monument erected by the James E. Moore Post to the
memory of our heroes in unknown graves. The corner-stone of
this monument was laid on Decoration Day (May 30th), 1893,
with appropriate ceremonies. The introductory address was
made by Post Commander N. B. Rogers. Edmund Tweedy, on
behalf of the Cemetery Association, presented the plot for the
monument, and Department Commander W. D. Rogers, of Meri-
den, accepted the gift for the James E. Moore Post. Comman-
der A. J. Smith, on behaK of the Monument Committee, pre-
sented the foundation-stone, which was accepted by Comrade
George R. Bevans in behaK of the post.
On Decoration Day, in 1894, the completed monument was
430 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
dedicated, with the city in gala attire and a large and imposing
parade. Governor Morris and other State officials were present.
Mr. Joel Foster, in a few well-chosen words, stated the cause for
the assemblage. Rev. A. F. Pierce pronounced a fervent invo-
cation, and " Old New England" was sung by a double quartette.
Mr. Henry N. Fanton formally presented the monument to the
State and city with impressive words. Governor Morris made
the speech of acceptance for the State, and Mayor Andrews for
the city. Mr. John W. Bacon accepted the monument for the
Cemetery Association. " America" was sung, and the exercises
closed by an address by Hon. Augustus Fenn, of Winsted, on
" The Unknown Soldiers and Sailors Dead."
On the front and rear faces of the monument are the words
" In Memoriam." On the front is a tablet on which is inscribed
"Danbury's Memorial to her Soldiers and Sailors who Rest in
Unknown Graves." Above this tablet is one bearing the names
of some of those we honor to-day. Above the names is the in-
signia of the navy — a windlass, sheeve-block, and anchor backed
by crossed swords. On the back is the insignia of the army, a
shield of Stars and Stripes surrounded with a laurel wreath, and
backed by crossed swords. The cross bears a large badge of the
Grand Army of the Republic, with the letters G. A. R. upon
the three points.
From the ground to the top of the statue the distance is four-
teen feet. The base, cap, and die are of blue granite ; the figure
of the soldier that crowns the monument is of Westerly granite.*
* The Danbuiy I^ews of date May 30tli, 1894, contains a detailed account of tlie
ceremonies of the day.
CHAPTER XL.
WOOSTER CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
In extent and topography the grounds of Wooster Cemetery-
are not excelled by any burial-place in Connecticut. There are
eighty-three acres in the enclosure. It is rolling land, with a
number of broad plateaux, is abundantly shaded, has attractive
drives, and a lake dotted with verdant islands.
The first officers of the society were Frederick S. Wildman,
President ; Lucius P. Hoyt, Secretary. The directors were
Edgar S. Tweedy, G-eorge W. Ives, Nelson L. White, S. A.
Hurlburt, Henry Benedict, and Samuel C. Wildman.
The Danbury Cemetery Association was organized in Novem-
ber, 1850, under a law of the State relating to cemeteries. The
shares were $25, and there were sixty shareholders. The first
purchase of land was made in December of that year, sixteen
acres from William H. Clark for $300, and five and one quarter
acres from Colonel E. Moss White for $80.
In November, 1867, the Association purchased of the late
William Augustus White about thirty-five acres at $35 per acre.
The natural diversities of this ground have lent themselves to
the good taste of those who have made this beautiful cemetery
of to day, but it has required years of constant care and tireless
energy, and these were freely given by the three good men whose
names are graven on the tablet of the Memorial Chapel "just
within the gates," and who rest quietly in this place which they
made beautiful.
The shade ti'ees are numerous and varied, the grass is green
and thick, and everywhere are evidences of loving thought and
care for those who have gone before. The pretty curving lake
fills the place where once was a swamp thick with bogs and
bushes, and the drive about it is shaded by trees, where the birds
" swing and sing" in the spring time.
On April 27th, 1854, the Wooster Monument was dedicated
432 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
with appropriate ceremonies, to perpetuate the memory of Gen-
eral Wooster.
In 1862 the reception vault was built, and four years later the
massive stone columns at the entrance of the cemetery were
erected. The grounds were laid out and improvements made by
and under the direction of George W. Ives and Edgar S. Tweedy.
Mr. Ives departed this life in 1862. His remains rest on the
northern point of the main ridge, beneath a granite cross of
simple design, on the base of which is inscribed the following
testimonial from his fellow-citizens :
" This monument is erected to George W. Ives by his friends
as a testimonial of his services in laying out and beautifying this
cemetery, and in remembrance of his public and private Avorth."
After his death Mr. Tweedy had the sole supervision of the
grounds until his death in 1893.
GEORGE W. IVES.
Mr. Ives, to whom reference is made in this sketch, died on
December 10th, 1862. In the issue of December 17th the local
paper gave this record to his life and worth :
" We are called upon this week to record the death of Mr.
George W. Ives, which occurred at his residence last Thursday
afternoon, after an illness of some three or four months.
" In the death of Mr. Ives our community is called upon to
mourn the loss of one of our most valued and respected citizens.
Born in the city of New York, he more than thirty years ago
adopted this, his ancestral town, as his permanent residence.
At the time of his removal here he was a member of the well-
known hat firm of Leary & Co., of New York, and retained an
interest in their business until within a year or two of his death.
For some years Mr. Ives was a director in the Danbury Bank,
was the Treasiirer of the Danbury Savings Bank until quite
recently, and was, and had been from its first organization, Treas-
urer of the Danbury and Norwalk Railroad Company. Since
his residence among us he has been foremost in every public im-
provement designed to benefit and adorn our village, among the
most prominent of which may be mentioned the Wooster Ceme-
tery, laid out by him, and which will endure as a monument of
the public spirit and cultivated taste of the deceased long after
his name shall only be recalled as from the dim past.
FrEDERU K S. T\"lI.DMA>r.
Ge<». W. Ives. Edgar S. Tweedy.
ESTRAXCE TO "WoOSTER CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL ChAPEL.
HISTORY OP DANBURT. 433
" His purse was ever open to assist the needy, and no one was
ever sent away from his door empty-handed. Unostentatious in
his manners and social intercourse, he preserved his own self-
respect, while he regarded every man his equal. He carried
within his breast a heart large enough to embrace the whole
human family. An unflinching hater of wrong and oppression
of every kind, he was always found in defence of the weak and
oppressed. A firm friend, a kind neighbor, an honest man
has passed away.
"The body of the deceased was laid in the cemetery, the
grounds of which he had done so much to adorn."
EDGAR S. TWEEDY.
Mr. Tweedy, who was closely associated with Mr. Ives in
advancing the interests of Wooster Cemetery, took entire charge
of the work upon the death of Mr. Ives. Mr. Tweedy died
March 10th, 1893, just thirty-one years after the death of his
fellow-worker. The Evening Neios of March 11th publishes
this record of his life and worth :
" Mr. Tweedy was born in this city May 23d, 1808. At the
age of fourteen he went to New York City and became clerk in
the store of Prosper M. Wetmore. He remained in New York
until he was twenty years of age, when, suffering from a severe
cough which threatened to permanently undermine his health,
he returned home. Later he became a partner in the firm of
Hoyt, Tweedy & Co., hat manufacturers in Danbury, which
firm had a store in Charleston, S. C.
*' Mr. Tweedy was never very actively engaged in business
pursuits. He was not strong physically, although his erect figure
and quick step gave no indication of this.
' ' But in all enterprises looking to progress and betterment of
the town, and in all works of charity, he was particularly active.
" He was one of the incorporators of the Wooster Cemetery in
1850, was elected Vice-President of the Association, and after
the death of George W. Ives, in 1862, was the superintendent of
the grounds, and served in this ofiice until 1889, when advanced
age obliged him to retire from its duties. All this time he was
unremittent in his labors to make this city of the dead the
beautiful place it has become, and has lived to see the fruit of
his labor.
434 HISTOKT OF DANBtJRY.
"He was active in the organization of the Danbury and Nor-
walk Railway, Danbury's first railway ; was its secretary, and
for twenty-five years served as a director of the company.
" He was one of the organizers of the Danbury Gas Light
Company, and for a long time served as a director. He was one
of the incorporators of the Danbury Bank, now the Danbury
National Bank, and was on the Board of Directors.
" He was chosen President of the Danbury Library when it
was established, and has been continued in that office ever since.
When the Relief Society, which has been such an important
help to the honest poor, was formed, he was chosen to be its
president, and has filled that office continually since. His work
in this department was most important, so long as his health
permitted him to work. He assisted at the organization of the
Danbury Savings Bank, and has always been retained on its
board of directors and as a vice-president.
" He was also treasurer of this town for many years, and he
was active in school and temperance work for many years.
"Mr. Tweedy was chosen to represent Danbury in the State
Legislature in 184.'i, but he did not aspire to political ofiice.
" In 1880 he was chosen a delegate to the National Republican
Convention which nominated Garfield, and although seventy-two
years of age, attended all the sessions of that protracted con-
vention.
"In 1834 Mr. Tweedy married Elizabeth S., daughter of Rev.
David Belden, of Wilton, who survives him. There were seven
children, four sons and three daughters.
"Mr. Tweedy was a man of broad views, active mind, and
large heart. He possessed all the qualities demanded in good
citizenship. He was always alert to see the need of the commu-
nity, and always active in meeting it. In everything calculated
to promote the welfare of the town, to advance education, to
improve the condition of the unfortunate, to make beautiful his
city, he was always foremost.
" Mr. Tweedy was a gentleman of the highest type. One felt
this immediately on coming into his presence. He was Idndly,
dignified, well read, and thoroughly honest. His life has been
an enviable one. His record is without blemish. In the fulness
of years he has gone out from among us, sincerely mourned by
the community whom he so long and so faithfully served."
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 435
Frederick S. Wildman died on October 16th, 1893. We can
write no more faithful account of his long years of interest in
the cemetery than will be found in the following minute, which
was unanimously adopted at a meeting of the Danbury Ceme-
tery Association, held on January 20th, 1894 :
" The directors of the Danbury Cemetery Association hereby
place upon record their deep appreciation of the great loss which
they have sustained, personally and officially, in the death of
their venerable associate, Frederick S. Wildman, who has been
president of the Association since its organization, and for many
years its treasurer. In both of these capacities, and as a mem-
ber of the board, he has rendered most faithful and efficient ser-
vice, and the Association owes much to the sound judgment,
careful administration, and earnest zeal which he has displayed
in its afifau's. From his earliest manhood, during a lifetime pro-
longed much beyond that usually allotted to mankind, he was
ever among the foremost in the inception and promotion of all
projects for public improvement, and always ready to give them
active aid and encouragement.
" Among them all, none occupied a higher place in his regard
or received in fuller measure his loyal support than Wooster
Cemetery. In the meetings of the board he presided with such
dignity, courtesy, and consideration as to command the highest
respect and esteem of his associates. Impatient of routine, and
disregarding matters of mere form, he was prompt in the dis-
patch of business, and always sought the shortest route to the
end in view. Extreme age did not abate his interest in affairs,
nor impair the vigor of his intellect. To the last the duties
pertaining to his many trusts were performed with the same
scrupulous fidelity and thoroughness for which he was distin-
guished through life.
" At the last meeting of the board, on the day preceding the
beginning of his fatal illness, he prepared with his own hand
the resolution providing for the erection in the cemetery grounds
of a building as a memorial to George W. Ives and Edgar S.
Tweedy. It is most fitting and proper, in recognition of his
devotion and services to Wooster Cemetery, that his name should
be inscribed with theirs upon the memorial tablet to be placed
upon this building, and that the memory of these three, who
were closely united in life by the ties of sincere friendship, and
436 HISTORY OF DAKBURY.
by association in many good works, should be jointly honored
and perpetuated by this beautiful and appropriate tribute, and
the building committee are hereby directed to cause such in-
scription to be made."
The Cemetery Association have completed this present year a
neat memorial chapel near the entrance. It is of Pompeian
brick, with interior finishings of natural wood and tile flooring.
As is eminently fitting, it has a bronze tablet in memory of the
three citizens of Danbury under whose care and skill the ceme-
tery has been made the beautiful ' ' quiet haven' ' that it is to-day.
The tablet reads : "In memory of George W. Ives, Edgar S.
Tweedy, Frederick S. Wildman." No other words are needed,
for the cemetery itself is their monument.
CHAPTER XLI.
TOWN LIBRARIES.
Soon after the settlement in 1770 of Rev. Ebenezer Baldwin
over the First Congregational Church in Danbury, he drew up
terms of subscription for a library which should be free to all
denominations, and this was the beginning of the first library
of which we have any record. This was called the Danbury
Library, as the following advertisement, taken from an old issue
of the Farmer'' s Journal, will show : " The subscribers to the
Danbury Library are requested to meet at the house of Mr, Fair-
child White on Tuesday evening, the first of January next, pre-
pared to pay in the amount of their subscriptions, and transact
the necessary business of the company.
" Timothy Langdon, 1
Nathan Douglass, V Com"*
Lazarus Beach, I
" Danbury, Dec. 1, 1792."
The books of this library, except a few that were out, were
consumed in the conflagration of the town. It remained in this
incomplete state until March, 1795, when it was dispersed.
In January, 1793, a library company was formed, with shares
at $1.75, and was probably the beginning of the Franklin
Library, for in 1797 we find in an estate inventory ' ' a right in
the Franklin Library."
The Danbury Library of the present time has two volumes of
this old Franklin Library. These are The Federalist, printed
in New York in 1788. The label bears the following :
" Rules.
" All books must be returned four days previous to the Annual
Meeting, which is held on the second Monday in January in each
year on penalty of 34 cents.
438 HISTOBY OF DANBURY.
" Each member may keep a Book after the 1st of April and
until the first of November two months, —after the 1st of Novem-
ber, one month.
" Fees for all damages will be exacted."
A library was founded at Bethel in 1793, which in 1800,
according to the Century Sermon of Mr. Robbins, consisted of
one hundred volumes. No trace of it can be found at the pres-
ent time.
The Franklin Library ceased to exist in 1833, as the following
vote, recording the doings of the Mechanics' Library, under date
of October 7th, 1833, shows :
" Whereas, On the 3d of October, inst., passed the following
votes, to wit :
" Voted, That the books and all the property belonging to the
Franklin Library Company be assigned over and transferred to
the Mechanics' Library Association in this town.
" Voted, That the Franklin Library Company be abolished.
" Voted, That the condition on which the books and all the
property therein shall be assigned, as expressed in the first vote,
is, that the members of the Franklin Library Company shall be
entitled each to one share in the Mechanics' Library Associa-
tion, provided, etc.
" Thereupon, resolried, That the Mechanics' Library Associa-
tion accede to the," etc.
Thus the Franklin Company became merged in the Mechanics'
Association. Its last librarian was EU Mygatt, who afterward
became librarian of the new association.
mechanics' library.
We copy from the records of this association (now deposited
with the present library) the following items, which give, per-
haps, as comprehensive an account of its doings as can be
obtained :
" A meeting of some of the citizens of Danbury was held at
the house of Isaac Ives on the 8th of April, 1833, to take meas-
ures to establish a library in this village."
This action was taken six months before the dissolution of the
Franklin, and as our village was then quite small, the inference
of the record is that the old library was not in a very healthy
condition.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 439
The report goes on to state that I. Ives was appointed chair-
man and William Montgomery secretary of the meeting. A
committee (the members of which are not named) was appointed
to solicit subscriptions for the "purpose of purchasing and estab-
lishing a library for the use of the inhabitants of the town of
Danbury forever."
This moderate announcement of their purpose was followed
by the choice of a committee to draft a constitution. The com-
mittee were Eli T. Hoyt, George W. Ives, and F. S. Wildman.
At a meeting of the subscribers " held at the Middle District
school-house' ' on Friday evening, 1833 — Rory Stan- in the chair,
and E. S. Tweedy, secretary — a preamble and constitution were
adopted. From these papers we copy articles and parts of
articles, to give an idea of the nature of the organization. The
modest wording of Article 10 is especially worthy of considera-
tion in this age of boast and brag :
"Article 2 provides that any person shall be a member by
payment of $2, and continue to be so as long as confoiming to
the rules, etc.
" Article 3. Officers. There shall be twelve directors, three of
whom shall be apprentices over eighteen years of age.
" Article 4. Location of library to be always within limit of
borough of Danbury.
" Article 5. Secretary's duties to call meetings by notice pub-
lished in some newspaper published in the village, or by posting
on the public sign-post.
" Article 7. Every apprentice between the ages of fourteen
and twenty-one bringing from his employer a certificate of good
character and guarantee for safe return of books shall be en-
titled to use of hooks free of charge.
" Article 8. No books on sectarian theology shall ever be
admitted into this library ; and no novels or works of fiction
unless they shall be approved by three quarters of the directors.
' ' Article 10. This association shall never be dissolved.
" Article 11. This constitution may be altered or amended at
an annual meeting of the society by a vote of three quarters of
the members present, excepting the clause in Article 8 relating
to works on sectarian theology, and Article 10, which articles
are never to be altered or amended."
At this meeting also the first election of officers was held,
440 HISTORT OF DANBURY.
choice being made as follows : President, Rory Starr ; Vice-
President, Eli T. Hoyt ; Secretary, Edgar S. Tweedy ; Treasurer,
Frederick S. WUdman. Directors : George W. Ives, Russell B.
Botsford, Reuben Booth, Thomas M. Gregory, Irel Ambler, Cur-
tiss Clark, Starr Nichols, A. Edward Tweedy, Horace Marshall,
Charles Hendricks, William A. Crocker, Thomas Sprague.
There was no change in the officers of the institution until the
thirteenth annual meeting on January 12th, 1846, when, owing
to the death of Rory Starr, the President, EU T. Hoyt was
elected to the vacancy, and A. E. Tweedy was made Vice-
President.
At a meeting of the Mechanics' Association, held on June 25th,
1833, it was voted to attach a reading-room to the library. The
school-room of Colonel Elias Stan- was rented for both purposes,
and he was made librarian with a yearly salary of $25. The
rent of the room was $20 per annum.
This building was next south of the house now occupied by
Edmond Allen. The library hours were fi'om seven to nine
o'clock A.M., and from five to seven o'clock in the evening. The
reading department was opened to the public from half- past six
until nine o'clock p.m.
At a meeting held on October 30th, 1834, Eli Mygatt was
appointed to take charge of the library and furnish necessary
lights and fuel, the expense of the same not to exceed $70 for a
period of two years. The library remained under the care of
Mr. Mygatt in his house until the time of his death.
On September 1st, 1844, the books and other property of the
association were taken to the store- of Thomas Mootry and placed
in his care, where they remained until January 23d, 1856. At
a meeting held on that date the Mechanics' Association dis-
solved, and the library was turned over to an organization called
the Young Men's Literary Association, " for their more economic
management and better care." The Young Men's Literary
Association was but short-lived, and in its extinction the material
of the library disappeared. From that time until 1871 our town
had no public library, nor do we know of any effort to estab-
lish one.
THE DANBURT LIBEARX".
As it exists to-day, with its commodious and elegant building
on Main Street, the dwelling-house adjoining, its books and
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 441
Other property, including its invested funds, it is substantially
the gift of one family, that of the late E. Moss White, of Dan-
bury. The late William Augustus White, of Brooklyn, son of
E. Moss White, by his last will and testament bequeathed the
sum of $10,000, to be paid five years after his decease, for the
establishment of a public library in his native borough of Dan-
bury. The Legislature of Connecticut, at its session in 1869,
passed an act incorporating the Danbury Library, which act
was approved by the Governor, June .5th, 1869.
On June 1st, 1870, Alexander M. White, of Brooklyn, brother
of William Augustus White, and sole executor of his will, placed
at the disposal of the trustees of the library the house on Main
Street, in which he was born and in which his parents died, to
be used for library purposes until a suitable building could be
erected upon the premises. At the same time Mr. White also
notified the trustees of his willingness to give a plot of ground,
fifty feet on Main Street by one hundred and fifty feet in depth,
on which to erect a suitable building, and also the sum of $5000,
besides an equal amount to be given by his brother, George
Granville White, toward the erection of such a building, so soon
as the citizens of Danbury would join in erecting, free of debt,
a suitable building upon this ground. At this time Mr. White
directed that repairs be made upon the house so given, and that
suitable furniture be purchased at an expense not to exceed $500,
the cost of such repairs and purchases being paid by him.
In 1871 Alexander M. White made a further donation of $500
for the purchase of books. A donation of $500 by the late
Charles H. Merritt and of $50 by Miss H. E. Merritt was made
and accepted. Subsequently, in accordance with the wishes of
Charles H. Merritt, after his death a gift of one hundred shares
of stock in the Danbury & Bethel Gas and Electric Light Com-
pany, par value of $2500, was made in his name, the interest of
the same to be devoted to the library.
The library continued to occupy the house formerly the resi-
dence of E. Moss White until the fall of 1876. In May of that
year Alexander M. White notified the- trustees of his desire to
see a suitable building erected upon the site for library uses, and
of the ofl'er of his brother, George Granville White, to contribiite
$5000 for this purpose. To this amount Alexander M. White
generously offered to add $15,000, making $20,000 in all. Mr.
442 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
White subsequently offered to remove the old dwelling-house to
the rear of the library lot at his own expense, and to fit it up
for rental ; also to donate additional ground on the south side
and rear of the library lot, and directed that plans be obtained
for a building costing fi-om $20,000 to $25,000. Since then he
deeded to the library all the remaining portion of the old White
homestead, extending from the lot of the Misses Norton on
Library Place to Terrace Place.
Of all these several gifts and donations the trustees have
thankfully availed themselves. Not only the $25,000 placed
at their disposal by the Messrs. Alexander White and George
Granville White has been, in accordance with their wish, ex-
pended upon the building, but in October, 1878, Mr. Alexander
M. White, to insure the utmost possible perfection in the com-
pletion of the new structure, made a further donation of $1500.
Upon receiving a vote of thanks from the trustees for this
amount he added $3500 for finishing, furnishing, and purchase
of books. These contributions, Mr. White desires us to under-
stand, are, like others coming through him, from the family of
the late E. Moss White.
The present building has been erected from plans furnished
by Messrs. Lamb & Wheeler, of Newark, N. J. It was begun
in 1877 and completed early in 1879. The first story is rented
for oflices, leaving the entire second story for library uses. It
is heated by steam throughout, and has received the approval
and admiration of some of the best architects and authorities
upon architecture in the country. It is a monument to the gen-
erosity and philanthropy of a single family, and a public bene-
faction of which all the inhabitants of Danbury have every
reason to feel proud.
On January 1st, 1893, the fine Post-Office building, the last
gift of Mr. White to the library, Avas ready for occupancy. The
cost of this building with necessary ground improvements was
in round numbers $40,000. The children of Mr. Alexander M.
White gave to the Danbury Library $4000, " to provide for the
equipment and furnishing of the Post-Ofiice building, and for
the laying of sidewalks around the same." Through this munifi-
cence of Mr. White and his family, the Danbury Library was
opened on August 1st, 1893, as a free library to the public. At
this time there were 320 subscribers at an annual fee of $1.50.
HISTORY OF DANBURY. 443
At the close of the first year as a free library the number of
subscribers was 2300, and at the present date the subscribers
number 2654. The number of books drawn from the library
during the past year was 70,641. Number of persons using the
reference room, 871 ; number of volumes now in the library,
12,801.
GENEALOGICAL LINE OF THE FAMILY OF E. MOSS WHITE.
1. Thomas White, born in England, 1599, came to Mas-
sachusetts about 1630 ; made Freeman of Weymouth, March
3d, 1636 ; representative in 1636, 1637, 1657, and 1670 ; died
in Weymouth, August, 1679. The name of his wife is not
known.
2. Their fourth son and fifth child was Ebenezer White, bom
in Weymouth, 1648 ; made Freeman in 1674, and died July
24th, 1703, in Weymouth. He married Hannah, daughter of
Nicholas and Hannah (Salter) Phillips, born in Boston, 1654.
She survived her husband.
3. Their second son and child was Thomas White (deacon and
captain), born in Weymouth, August 19th, 1673 ; died April
28th, 1752. He married in 1700 Mary, daughter of James White,
of Dorchester, Mass., born there 1676 ; died in Weymouth, 1716.
(His second wife was Silence French.)
4. His fifth son and child was Rev. Ebenezer White, born in
Weymouth, December 21st, 1709 ; died in Danbury, September
11th, 1779. He married, first, Mary, daughter of Rev. John
Moss, of Derby, Conn., October 20th, 1736. She died July 30th,
1746, and he married, second, Mary French, of Weymouth.
Rev. Ebenezer White graduated at Yale in 1733 ; joined the First
Church in Stonington, March 28th, 1734 ; studied theology
there ; was installed in Danbury, March 10th, 1735-36, and dis-
missed March 18th, 1764.
5. His third child and second son, Joseph Moss White, bom
in 1741, died in 1822 ; married, January 15th, 1766, Rachel
Booth, born May 10th, 1741, daughter of Ephraim and Sarah
(Fairchild) Booth, of Stratford, Conn.
6. Their third son and fifth child, Ephraim Moss White, born
in 1775, married May 6th, 1798, Charity Tucker. Their children
were William Augustus, George Granville, Ann Maria, married
444 HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Charles Hart Merritt, of Troy, later of Danbury ; Mary Amelia,
married Charles Hart Merritt ; Hannah Bartow, married T. T.
Merwin, of New Haven ; Nelson Lloyd, married Sarah Booth,
of Kent, Conn.; Alexander Moss, married Elizabeth Hart Tred-
way, of Hart's Village, N. Y.
CHAPTER XLII.
danbuky's charities.
The Danbury Home for Destitute and Homeless Children.
The founder of this Cliildren's Home was Miss Mary Bull, a
daughter of Horace and Elizabeth (Dibble) Bull, who nearly
sixty years ago began her ministrations to poor and needy chil-
dren by taking one at a time into her father's house — then occu-
pying the site of the present St. Peter's Church — and caring for
them with tender love and a charity both broad and deep.
There are those living to-day who pay her a deserved tribute of
gratitude, and there are graves in the old burial-ground on
Wooster Street where she laid to rest little ones whose last hours
she had soothed with loving care. Neither days of toil nor
nights of watching could chill the ardor of that unselfish love
which for years brightened the lives of children who had none
of their own to care for them.
After years of trial and disappointment, of difficulties courage-
ously surmounted — years sometimes bright with hope, but often
shadowed by discouragement— Miss Bull succeeded in building
on Town Hill the present Children's Home. For some years
this was used as a school, though always sheltering a few needy
children of both sexes. In this building and its grounds Miss
Bull invested her small patrimony, and here prosecuted her labor
of love and benevolence until her death.
A granite headstone in the old Wooster Street burial-ground
bears the following inscription :
" Mart Bull,
Nov. 21, 1812.
May 11, 1882.
In memory of her noble work
As Founder of the Children's Home."
Here she rests with her kindred, but most truly it may be
446 HISTORY OF DANBURT.
said that her " works do follow her," for the needy and home-
less children are still cared for, their bodily wants not only sup-
plied, but instruction and guidance such as may fit for a good
life are given. This was especially the desire of the founder,
and her " alms and prayers are gone up as a memorial before
God."
After the death of Miss Bull, her assistant. Miss Martha
Stokes, carried on the good cause with varying fortunes, but
vnth unflinching faith and courage, until the year 1884, when,
through the efforts of Mrs. George W. Ives, by personal appeal,
for subscriptions, the Home was rescued from the heavy indebt-
edness which at one time threatened to engulf it, and became
a permanent charity of the town.
The organization was duly incorporated in the spring of 1884,
the officers consisting of eighteen managers, a president, vice-
president, secretary, and treasurer.
The original incorporators were : Eliza W. Botsford, Mary
Bull, Sarah H. Ives, Matilda A. Nichols, Mary P. Averill, Sarah
M. Seeley, Mary Hatch, Sarah Wildman, Ann E. Whittlesey,
Julia A. Wildman, Eveline Keed, Julia A. Leonard, Olivia
Rider, Mary J. De Klyn, Fannie Griswold, S. A. Bailey, Anna
Deming, Mary E. Stone, Caroline Bacon, Ella Wildman, Jennie
Tweedy, George Starr, Eli T. Hoyt, Henry Crofut, WiUiam J.
Rider, D. P. Nichols, Nathan B. Dibble, Stephen Bates, Ezra
A. MaUory, D wight E. Rogers, J. Amsbury, Joel Foster, Charles
J. Deming, A. C. Hubbard, D. M. Hodges, J. J. Hough, J. L.
Peck, Roger Averill, Charles H. Reed, of Danbury, C. H.
Noble, C. A. Todd, D. A. Baldwin, Robert Erwin, T. T." Clemens,
M. L. Delevan, Charles Randall, of New Milford, Lewis Bailey,
Aaron T. Bates, Hiram K. Scott, of Ridgefield.
For the last ten years the Home has run along the comfortable
road of " general prosperity ;" kind hearts have kept not only
the "larder filled," but have ministered to the comfort and
happiness of its inmates in many ways. Thanksgiving days
have brought good cheer, and Christmas suns have shone on
happy faces bright with joy over " Christmas presents."
The annual and monthly meetings of the officers and managers
have been held at the residence of Mrs. George W. Ives, to whose
sympathetic heart and persistent effort the Home owes its pres-
ent well-being. Although an invalid for many months, her
s§
HISTORY OF DANBCRT. 447
interest in tMs institution has never flagged, and her kind
thoughts for the welfare of its inmates have been carried out
through the ministry of willing hands.
From time to time goodly sums of money have been raised by
fairs and entertainments gotten up by the ladies, and also by
lectures, musicales, and other entertainments, instructive and
amusing, given by charitably disposed individuals who had the
interests of the Home at heart. Even the children of Deer Hill
Avenue devised a lawn party in 1886 which netted $12 for the
benefit of the Home. In October, 1889, the institution received
by bequest of Darius Stevens $100.
At the Christmas gathering in 1891 Mr. Alfred N. Wildman
presented to the Home, in behalf of Mrs. Folsom and others, an
excellent photograph suitably framed of Mrs. George W. Ives,
and in May, 1894, at the annual meeting, Mr. Charles Merritt,
with fitting words, presented, in behalf of Mrs. Folsom, a fine
photograph of the late James Montgomery Bailey.
The matrons of the Home have been Miss Martha Stokes ; Mrs.
Jane Way, of Lee, Mass.; Miss Emma Way, of Bristol, Conn.;
Mrs. Jane Graham, also of Bristol, and Mrs. E. A. Westerfield,
of Noi"walk, who still occupies that position.
At the annual meeting in May, 1895, the following ofiicers and
managers were elected for the ensuing year, most of them being
re-elections :
President, Dr. W. J. Rider ; Vice-President, Dr. Sophia Pen-
field ; Secretary, Mrs. C. M. Wheelock ; Treasurer, Alfred N.
Wildman ; Medical Adviser, Dr. S. Penfield ; Legal Adviser, L.
D. Brewster ; Auditors : E. T. Morris, D. E. Rogers.
Board of Managers : Dr. William J. Rider, Charles H. Merritt,
Alfred N. Wildman, Joel G. Foster, Dwight E. Rogers, Henry
W. Hoyt, Mrs. Carrie M. Wheelock, Mrs. James P. Peffers, Mrs.
Frank L. Butler, Mrs. Sarah H. Ives, Mrs. Lyman D. Brewster,
Mrs. Joel G. Foster, Mrs. Henry W. Hoyt, Mrs. Dr. Simmons,
Miss Hattie Simmons, Miss Elizabeth Wildman, Miss Mary A.
Brady, Miss Alice Williams.
Since the Danbury Home passed into the hands of the present
duly organized society in 1884, Dr. W. J. Rider has filled th